Lapu Lapu victim, who lost her high school sweetheart, says the system failed her – BC

Another Lapu Lapu Festival victim also stated that he felt failed by the system after the tragedy.

Blaine Redlac, 29, was hit in his right leg and thrown 10 meters when a vehicle drove through a festival in Vancouver on April 26.

He also lost his high school sweetheart, 27-year-old Jendhel May Sico, in the tragedy.

He is the cousin of AJ Sico, who suffered a traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures and nerve damage in his right eye.

Eleven people died in the tragedy and dozens more were injured.

Redlac has mobility issues and still doesn’t work. He told Global News that handling MSP and ICBC coverage was time-consuming and frustrating.

“I’m very confused as to why this is included in the no-fault policy,” Redlac said of ICBC. “We are in the same category as fender bender victims.”

The enhanced care model was introduced by ICBC in 2021 and has faced numerous complaints in the past.

BC Premier David Eby said at an event on Monday that there was a lot the government and ICBC could learn from the Lapu Lapu Festival tragedy.

“I know that many questions arise regarding where donations are distributed, ensuring that they are distributed to the families of the victims, not elsewhere,” said Eby. “We are working with the United Way to address these issues.

“With respect to ICBC, we know that the system was not perfect and needed improvement. It is now much better than before. We are talking about more than double the amount of money that was available under the old system, which will be distributed to victims to support them in different ways.”

Eby said nearly $4 million has been provided to support victims, including rehabilitation support, victim services and supporting nearly 100 people with counseling across B.C.

He added that this is also the right time to conduct a five-year review of ICBC.

“This is a new system,” said Eby. “This has been going on for five years. It’s managed to keep interest rates stable for British Columbians. We currently have the lowest auto insurance rates in the country. We’re moving from the highest auto insurance rates in the region. Some of this insurance works very well. There’s some that doesn’t.”

Redlac said he was lucky to have a strong support network, as he didn’t know how he would ever cope.

He has found therapy in music, writing and performing songs about his beloved Jendhel.

Redlac said he is also concerned about how donations are prioritized by BC Philippines, United Way, and all grant recipients.

Complete details of donations from the Lapu Lapu tragedy and where the money went

“I hope they spend those funds to go to people who need them right now… if there’s any available… because as far as the arts community and all the things they do, none of us, my sisters, are aware of anything that’s going on,” she said.

“To the Filipino people of BC, the United Way, and all the grant recipients. I know you can say in your right, you followed the rules of the grant, but what I am saying right now, is that this money is being used to sacrifice victims like AJ Sico, receiving time-sensitive and life-changing care.

“Any funds that are still available from any organization will be distributed to victims who need those funds at this time.”

The president and CEO of the United Way of British Columbia defended the 45 grants awarded, after more than $2 million in donations poured in.

Michael McKnight said he couldn’t meet everyone’s expectations about where the donation money would go.

“I think we’re making our plea to the community about the kind of work that United Way does,” he said in an interview last week.

“For the last 97 years, United Way has worked with community-based organizations to support social service needs. So this is consistent with what we’ve been doing for the last 96 years. And our role in supporting the community is about the well-being of the community.”

Redlac also called on BC Philippines to cancel plans for next month’s festival.

“We weren’t there,” he said. “The community just isn’t there.”

Redlac says her healing journey has only just begun. He is determined to honor his colleague’s legacy and expose the gaps in the system so that future victims of tragedy will not feel abandoned by their government.

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