School mourns deaths of four teachers in Iloilo Strait tragedy

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

The Philippine flag at Lambunao National High School (LNHS) flew at half-staff on Monday to mourn the four teachers of the school who died in the tragic sea mishaps in Iloilo Strait on Saturday.

LNHS faculty members Ivy Grace Labordo, Ma. Zeny Anilao, Emily Legarda, and Lyn-lyn Janolino were among the 28 casualties of the twin capsizing incidents.

Rexy Lorilla, also a teacher of the school who was with the four casualties, survived.

Based on the official statement of the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Iloilo, the teachers were on their way home when their boats capsized.

“The said teachers were on their way home after visiting Guimaras State University (GSU) to process their graduate school requirements when huge waves swamped the boats in Iloilo Strait Saturday afternoon. This caused the capsizing of three motor boats resulting to several deaths and injuries,” the DepEd statement said.

Another teacher, George Buenavista of Agcuyawan Calsada Elementary School from Barotac Nuevo also died in the incident.

The teachers were onboard motorbanca Jenny Vince, the second pumpboat to capsize Saturday afternoon. The boat ended up in the waters of Dumangas, Iloilo on Sunday and rescuers found 11 bodies inside.

Officials of the Schools Division of Iloilo immediately travelled to the town of Dumangas to attend to the needs of the victims and their families.

In a statement, DepEd Iloilo extended their sincerest condolences to the families of the teachers.

“Lambunao National High School and the Schools District of Barotac Nuevo who died when a motor boat capsized in Iloilo Strait,” they said.

The department also called on all government agencies and local government units to ensure the safety of travelers to avoid similar incidents.

As of August 5, 2019, Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) head Donna Magno confirmed that the death toll on the two separate capsizing incidents rose to 28 while 52 of the 86 passengers managed to survive and six are still missing.