By CESAR JOLITO III

The family of a 63-year-old man injured in a motorcycle accident in Bacolod City’s Barangay Estefania has raised concerns over what they describe as a delayed emergency response that nearly cost him his life.

Rogelio Treyes Jr., a former barangay tanod and current subdivision security guard, sustained head and facial injuries after losing control of his motorcycle and crashing into a gutter on Tuesday afternoon, January 27.

According to his wife, Teresita Treyes, the family immediately sought assistance from the barangay hall, only to be told that no ambulance was available at the time.

“My children kept calling the barangay. They said there was no ambulance. My husband was already bleeding, and they just laughed and did nothing,” Teresita said in an interview.

Because no emergency vehicle arrived and attempts to reach the 911 hotline were unsuccessful, the family resorted to transporting Treyes to the hospital using a tricycle.

Their son, Rusty, added that barangay personnel merely asked for details and advised the family to arrange transport themselves.

“When you needed help during an emergency, there was none. I thought I was going to die,” Treyes said.

One ‘fully equipped’ ambulance

Barangay Captain Jerry Tingson explained that Barangay Estefania has only one fully equipped ambulance, which was already responding to another emergency at the time of the accident.

He clarified that the barangay’s patient transport vehicle cannot be used for emergencies as it lacks medical equipment and trained personnel.

“That vehicle cannot be used. There is a protocol. Only the fully equipped ambulance operates 24/7 with trained rescuers,” Tingson said, adding that the barangay’s budget does not allow for additional ambulances despite serving over 70,000 residents.

The family is now urging the local government unit to review and strengthen the emergency response system, emphasizing the need for better support and resources for frontline responders./CJ, WDJ