Maasin City, Southern Leyte- Two workers of a construction firm were seriously injured when the right side front tire of a dump truck carrying 10 workers running in high speed burst and turned turtle as it reached Brgy. Nahaong, Libagon recently (in the afternoon of Nov.18, 2008), about 86 kilometers away from here.

The 2 injured workers were identified as Venson De Los Pobres Malbas, 27 years old, married, and a resident of Brgy. Basak, Rizal, Maasin; Arturo Valencia Magallanes, welder, 36 years old, married, and resident of Brgy, San Jose, Maasin.

Malbas said that they left Maasin for Pintuyan where they have to do road concreting contracted by their employer Engr. Alberto Barola, owner of the Our Lady of Assumption Enterprises located in Brgy. Tuburan. He disclosed the dump truck was running in high speed to catch up with the time because Pintuyan, a town in Panaon Island, is very far from Maasin.

He informed that when they have reached Brgy. Nahaong, Libagon the front tire at the right side burst and the dump truck turned turtle burying him and Magallanes under the heavy file of sacks of cement. He said that the dump truck was loaded with 50 sacks of cement, an electric generator, sacks of rice and some of their provisions for their daily consumption while they were working there.

He said his companion immediately called their employer on a cellphone informing him about the accident. He said their boss then rushed to the scene together with another dump truck and they were whisked off to Sogod District hospital for emergency treatment. However, due to lack of facilities of the said hospital, they were instructed to proceed to the Salvacion Oppus Y?iguez Memorial Provincial Hospital (SOYMPH).

Aside Malbas, Magallanes was also confined except for their 8 co-workers who only sustained slight bruises and contusions. After they were treated, they were ordered to go home. Magallanes divulged that 4 of their companions seating with them at the back, were thrown away thus escaping serious injuries. The dump truck?s driver and the 3 other workers seating in the front were not injured.

Malbas suffered fractured right leg and a wound on his upper right arm. Both of his eyes and some part of his face were slightly reddish as his head was hit by sacks of cement. His fractured right leg was operated on by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Elpidio Sibud.

Magallanes sustained a swollen right foot and a swollen right hand. His right thumb was fractured and a wound on his forehead. Like Malbas, he will be operated on by the doctor to connect the fractured bone. They will be confined at the hospital for several days. (Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.)

About the Contributor:

Mr. Quirico M. Gorpido Jr was an erstwhile Correspondent/Contributor to the following weeklies and dailies: Tacloban-based regional weekly a 33-year-old The Reporter for many years(now defunct), a Cebu-based weekly The Visayan Express(now defunct),Cebu-based daily The Freeman(1994-1998) now a sister publication of The Philippine Star, Maasin-based weekly The Southern Leyte Times for three years, Tacloban-based daily The Leyte Samar Daily Express(2000-2001), Cebu-based daily the Cebu Daily News(2002-2003), Tacloban-based weekly 7-year-old Tribune(2003-2007).