The Department of Agriculture is mourning the loss of a 73-year-old senior citizen killed while waiting before dawn for ₱20-per-kilo rice outside the Bureau of Animal Industry compound along Visayas Avenue in Quezon City on Wednesday, May 20.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. extended condolences to the victim’s family and said the DA would provide assistance to those affected by the crash. “We mourn the loss of a senior citizen whose life was tragically taken in this accident,” Tiu Laurel said. “The Department of Agriculture is committed to extending all necessary assistance to the victim’s family and to the injured individual during this difficult time.”
The crash happened at around 3:45 a.m. in Barangay Vasra, about two hours before subsidized rice selling was set to begin under the Benteng Bigas, Meron Na! program. Police said the senior citizen was seated in line when a pickup truck hit the area near the gutter. He was brought to a hospital and declared dead at about 5 a.m. Another person, identified in one report as a sidewalk vendor, was injured after trying to move his sidecar away from the vehicle.
Initial investigation showed the pickup was traveling from Elliptical Road toward Congressional Avenue when the driver allegedly lost control and struck pedestrians. A witness said the vehicle was speeding before it swerved into the crowd, throwing the victim and damaging road signage. The driver claimed he swerved to avoid a motorcycle, but authorities said this remains under investigation.
Lt. Charly Dela Cruz of QCPD Traffic Sector 6 said the driver was headed home to Culiat after a QC-Isabela trip. He was arrested and faces charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, physical injuries, and damage to property.
Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra urged beneficiaries to avoid lining up too early and use online scheduling, assuring the public that rice supply is sufficient.
