Thursday, July 10, 2008
Hesitant relatives claim GMA cash aid
By Elisabeth P. Baumgart
Sun.Star Correspondent
WHEN Fedela Rosiana, 52, received the P10,000 financial assistance from President Arroyo, she came close to tears.
The tears she later shed, while clutching the envelope containing the money, were not tears of joy over the money she just received.
“Gi-mingaw lang gyud ko sa akong mga anak (I really miss my children),” she said.
She lost her twin sons, Jundale and Jundee, when the mv Princess of the Stars sank last June 21. Both sons are irreplaceable and no amount of money could compensate for their loss, she added.
Though hesitant to take the amount, Rosiana said she took the money in order to recover expenses they have incurred in coming over to Cebu from Negros Oriental.
Unsure
Leonara Labajo, 35, shared Rosiana’s sentiments on receiving the P10,000 financial assistance.
“Dili gyud ikabayad sa kwarta ang akong bana (This will never be able pay for the loss of my husband),” said Labajo, her voice wavering.
She admitted that once she received the money, she felt different and unsure about it. “Lahi gyud akong feeling ani,” she said.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 released yesterday 367 PGMA financial assistance claims to families, amounting to a total of P3.6 million.
In yesterday’s Kapihan sa PIA, DSWD 7 Information Officer Jaybee Carillo once again addressed the issue of survivors asking for the PGMA financial assistance.
Priority
“I just want to make it clear, we are not turning them down,” she said.
Carillo said the rates for survivors may be different, but their priority right now is attending to the families of the missing passengers of the mv Princess of the Stars.
Office of Civil Defense (OCD) 7 Chief of Operations Neil Angelo Sanchez added that victims from the aftermath of typhoon Frank may also approach their office and ask for financial assistance.
“They are entitled to avail themselves of claims,” he said.
Families that have lost loved ones to typhoon Frank or any natural disaster should go to the OCD and file for financial assistance, said Sanchez.
Sulpicio checks
Meanwhile, Sulpicio Lines Inc. reported that as of Tuesday night, they already released 13 checks worth P200,000 each to the families.
Sulpicio Lines Inc. assistant vice president Ryan Bernard Go said six checks were also ready for release. “There are also 85 (families) that have filed for claims,” said Go.
In Manila, Go said 64 families have already filed for the claims. “Thirty-five checks were already released and 28 checks are ready for families to be claimed,” Go said.
Families that avail themselves of the P200,000 insurance money from Sulpicio, however, are reportedly asked to sign a quitclaim promising not to sue Sulpicio Lines Inc. over the accident.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (July 10, 2008 issue)
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