A public school teacher died and over 30 others were injured in a bus accident in Negros Occidental on June 14, prompting Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez to order an investigation into the crash to prevent future incidents.

The bus, owned by the Bacolod City government, was carrying teachers back from a team-building activity when it flipped on its left side at about 5:40 p.m., the police report said. 

The bus was carrying 32 teachers and five of their family members. In addition to the teachers, the driver and a conductor were on board. 

The accident resulted in the death of Arlyn Verde, a 42-year-old teacher from Paglaum Village Elementary School. 

Verde and her colleagues were returning from a trip to Sipaway Island when the brakes of the bus failed on a downhill curve in Don Salvador Benedicto.

“It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce a tragic vehicular accident involving a bus owned by the city,” Mayor Benitez said in a statement, expressing condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.

“We will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of this tragic accident and to ensure that such incidents do not happen in the future,” Benitez added.

Benitez said that the Bacolod city government is committed to providing the victim and survivors the necessary support and assistance.

Maria Laarni Pornan, head of Bacolod’s Disaster Office, said the Social Services Department is assessing the victims’ needs and will release assistance. The city government has provided medical help to all injured passengers.

Some 11 passengers are in serious or critical condition, 15 others are less critical, and while eight have minor injuries. Survivors are now being treated at three city hospitals, and some have already been discharged.

The bus driver, Nelmo Gonzaga, 59, is in police custody at the Don Salvador Benedicto Police Station. Authorities are looking into the brake failure that caused the accident.

Mayor Benitez emphasized the importance of reviewing safety protocols for city-owned vehicles to prevent similar incidents in the future. 

“We are coordinating with local hospitals to ensure that the injured receive the best medical care available,” he said.

The city is in mourning, with officials and community members expressing their grief and support for those affected by the tragedy.