THE Davao City Council on Tuesday, May 10, approved on third and final reading the two ordinances authorizing the utilization of trust fund for the Roxas Night Market blast victims.
Majority of the councilors voted for the ordinance authorizing Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to utilize P4.5 million as grant-in aid for the victims' livelihood and another P3 million for medical assistance to victims who are still needing continuous and long term care.
Based on the copy of the ordinance, the livelihood assistance aims to provide the beneficiaries not only to start-up capital but also provide a sustainable livelihood opportunity for them.
The beneficiaries of the livelihood program are those whose head of the family died during the blast and the surviving spouse or next of kin who could secure employment from the private and public sector.
Those whose heads of family can no longer work or do not have a gainful employment as a result of the Roxas Night Market blast are also included.
The victims belonging to the informal sector are also prioritized, including those victims who could no longer secure employment from the private and public sector.
The funds will be sourced from the donations made to the City Government.
Victims who need long term medical care to assist their full recovery are also among the recipients of the trust fund as approved in a separate ordinance.
In a previous media forum, Davao City Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang said that the CSSDO identified 11 victims who will receive assistance for continued medical care.
Davao City Social Services and Development Office head Maria Luisa Bermudo said that they included more than 80 persons who were affected in the blast as recipients.