SINILOAN, LAguna — A tragic road accident claimed two lives after a dump truck loaded with gravel lost control along the Famy–Infanta Road in Barangay Macatad, Siniloan, Laguna, on Monday afternoon, January 5, 2026. The incident occurred at around 5:00 p.m. when the truck reportedly suffered brake failure, causing it to ram into a tricycle and several roadside houses before eventually toppling over.

According to the Siniloan Municipal Police Station, the truck driver stated that the vehicle’s brakes malfunctioned while it was in motion. The impact proved fatal for the two individuals riding the tricycle, sending shockwaves through the local community and prompting renewed concern over road safety along the busy mountain route.

However, the official explanation has not fully satisfied residents living near the crash site. In several social media posts, locals claimed that the dump truck may have come from the mountainous areas of Infanta, where quarry operations are common. They alleged that the vehicle was possibly overloaded with gravel, a factor that could have overwhelmed the braking system, especially on steep and winding roads such as the Famy–Infanta stretch.

This incident once again brings to light a recurring issue in many provincial highways: the frequent passage of heavily loaded trucks, often linked to quarrying and construction activities. While brake failure is a common explanation in such accidents, it also raises the question of whether vehicle maintenance, load limits, and regulatory enforcement are being strictly observed. For communities living along these roads, the danger is not abstract—it is a daily reality. Beyond the immediate tragedy, the crash invites a broader discourse on accountability. Should investigations stop at mechanical failure, or should authorities also scrutinize business practices that may prioritize profit over public safety? As families mourn the loss of loved ones, one question remains worth pondering: how many more lives must be lost before stricter enforcement on overloading and road safety becomes a real priority? (Larawan: Batangas City)