BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental — Seven barangay health workers who were supposed to be on their way for a tree-planting activity died after the truck they were riding in flipped and landed on its side in the upland village of Guimbalaon in Silay City today, 27 June 2025.
Initial reports from local news and FM Station K5 revealed that the seven were part of a group that was headed for Sitio Lantawan in the same city for a tree-planting activity. Local media also reports that the truck apparently lost its brakes, causing it to flip over on its side.
The Silay City Police Office meanwhile reports the death toll has risen to seven from the initial five as two more reportedly died while being treated for their wounds at a government hospital in Bacolod City.
The updated list from city police chief, Lt. Col. Mark Darroca showed the latest fatalities – Marlon Amarado, 36, of Mambulac village and Jayme Bangis, 60, of Brgy. Guinhalaran – both died at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional where they were brought for treatment after the mini dump truck they were riding on from Patag village flipped this morning of Friday, 27 June 2025, on its side along the highway in Guimbalaon, a village less than 30 minutes away.
Both villages are famed for scenic views, roadside coffeeshops and mountain resorts.
The first set of fatalities, all residents too of the city, were earlier identified as Alexander Balili, 62, of Antilla Subdivision, Brgy. IV; Rafael Jardiolin Jr, 57, of Abad Santos, Brgy. V; Eldie N Naguita, 65, of Brgy. E Lopez, Silay City; Azucena Dimson, 52, of Seaview Subdivision, Brgy. Guinhalaran; and Leonillo Jerson, 38, of La Purisima, Brgy. E Lopez.
Those wounded and currently being treated in various hospitals in Bacolod City are:
Mario Donieza y Yulo, 59, of Brgy. Mambulac; Felomino Aquino y Bilbao, 49, of Brgy. Lantad;Arthur Gonzales, 47, of Tres Fuentes, Brgy. Lantad; Jerkin Acuña, 43, of Brgy. Mambulac; Randy Dela Banda, 50, of Brgy. Rizal; Aaron Andrade y Pabon, of Paghidaet, Brgy. Mambulac; Edgar Premaylon, 51, of Brgy. E Lopez; Joseph Mondejar, 54, of Antonio Luna, Brgy. I, Rizalino Hugos, 62, of ilang-ilang, Brgy. V;
Arturo Ardiente y Serdenia, 58, of Brgy. Lantad; Bienvenido Gallego, 61, of Sitio Patag Diotay, Brgy. Kapitan Ramon; Louien Acuña, 48, of Bonifacio Ext. Brgy V; Julius Tomco, 57, of Bonifacio Ext, Brgy 4; and Ronie Molabin, 53 years old, of Brgy. Guinhalaran.
