Wednesday, July 09, 2008 Kin of dead victims to get aid first
AFTER surviving the sinking of the mv Princess of the Stars, Philip Vasquez only wanted to claim the promised financial assistance from President Arroyo to make up for what he had lost when the boat sank.
But when he approached the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) desk at the action center yesterday, he got nothing.
Not a priority
“I was told to wait because they have to prioritize the relatives of missing persons,” a dismayed Vasquez said.
Vasquez told Sun.Star Cebu that DSWD personnel were surprised to see him at the action center at the Cebu City Sports Center asking for the President’s financial assistance of P10,000.
“They were surprised to see a survivor,” he said.
Vasquez admitted he was disappointed with the service of DSWD when they turned him down, asking him to come back after every family has been served.
“They said they will only attend to me only after everyone else has claimed the financial assistance. They said they will have to check how much money would be left,” he said.
Vasquez was wondering why the DSWD asked him to return after all of the families at the action center have been served when he was a victim too.
“Survivors are victims as well,” he said.
Families of the dead, the missing and the survivors should be treated the same, he added.
Lourdes Panerio, social welfare officer IV of the DSWD, said that when Vasquez approached their desk, they had to turn him down after receiving instructions from their main office.
Other benefits
Panerio said that according to the directive of their focal person, Grace Yana, Vasquez would have to come back after all families have received the financial assistance.
“Survivors will be given benefits from Sulpicio,” said Panerio.
Yana told Sun.Star Cebu that they had to ask Vasquez to return later because the budget provided by the President was only for the families of the dead and the missing persons.
Yana, however, clarified that there they were not turning down survivors but they would still have to check with the central office how much money was allocated for survivors.
“I think the rates for survivors are different,” said Yana.
For now, the DSWD will be listing the names of survivors who come to their office to ask for financial assistance. DSWD will later announce when they can release the money and how much it would be per survivor. (EPB)
