Dole-7 to fete ‘hero truck driver’

Local

A WING van crew who lost his job after using his company vehicle to save six people from raging floodwaters during Typhoon Tino will soon receive a government commendation.

The Department of Labor and Employment-Central Visayas (Dole-7) is preparing an official award for the driver who was reportedly terminated after he used his employer’s truck to rescue trapped residents in Barangay Cotcot, Liloan town, northern Cebu at the height of the storm on Nov. 4.

Lawyer Roy Buenafe, regional director of Dole-7, said the agency will formally honor the worker during Dole’s 92nd anniversary on Dec. 8, or possibly earlier during a pre-anniversary job fair next week, describing the driver’s actions as both heroic and exemplary.

“Tagaan nato siya ug commendation. Yes, dili lang kay hero siya sa community, he is a hero as a worker,” Buenafe said.

Buenafe emphasized that the driver did nothing wrong in choosing to save lives. He stressed that his use of the vehicle was guided by instinct, compassion, and courage in a life-or-death situation.

“I dont think dunay kalapasan ang driver sa iyang trabaho tungod kay human nature lang nga mutabang ta sa atong usag katawo. Ang rason lang nga gigamit ang sakyanan aron moluwas sa mga individual that is a noble, commendable work,” he said.

He added that recognizing the driver is not only an acknowledgment of bravery but also a message that workers should not be punished for acting in the higher interest of public safety.

“Kami lang tungod kay atong madato to tale care of our workers, nagpasalig ko nga kining driver tagaan nato ug pasidungog. Ato ning imbetahon labi sa atong umaabot nga anniversary sa Dole karon December 8, Mama Mary sad na nga adlaw atong itiming thats a special day,” Buenafe added.

Highlighting the extent of the worker’s sacrifice, Buenafe said Dole is even considering a special distinction for him.

“I’m thinking kay ang atong patron sa mga mamumuo si San Jose man basin tagaan ni nato siya ug San Jose Award,” he said.

The wing van crew, together with a policeman, helped six individuals cling to life as floodwaters surged through a creek in Cotcot during the typhoon’s onslaught.

Viral videos showed the crew using their wing van to shield and break the rushing current while several people struggled to stay above water. The driver coordinated closely with Patrolman Niño Divinagracia of the Liloan Municipal Police Station, who responded to the scene.

Footage also captured Divinagracia losing his balance and falling into the floodwaters before being pulled to safety by one of the crew members. As rescuers helped him recover, the driver repositioned the wing van to slow the current again, allowing more victims to be reached.

Despite injuries from his fall, Divinagracia was seen clinging to a victim and pulling her toward higher ground.

All six survivors were successfully retrieved because of the coordinated efforts of the driver, his helpers, and the responding officers.(TGP)