DAVAO CITY—President Rodrigo Duterte handed cash assistance to the survivors of the Roxas night market blast on Monday night from the President’s social funds.
The families of the 15 victims who died during the Sept. 2 incident and those who were seriously injured each received P250, 000 while the 21 injured survivors each got P100,000.
Duterte said he treated those who died and severely injured equal since they would be having a hard time to get back on their job or find a livelihood.
“I treat them [seriously injured] as equal to those who died, because it would take them time before they can work again or find a livelihood,” he said.
According to him, he cannot question the will of God, especially those who lost their lives during the bloody incident that killed 15 civilians and injured 69 others.
“We, Christians, we are always taught that God decides on the fate of every man, it is really destiny. If it is your time, it is really your time,” Duterte said.
Meanwhile, Denis Larida, who lost his wife and son during the explosion, thanked Duterte for his financial aid, love and support that he had shown to the victims.
“I thank the president, though we cannot say the financial aid can bring back the lives of my wife and son, but the love, support and comfort that the president has given us is already a big help for us,” he said.
Larida said he is still recovering from the pain he had suffered due to the untimely loss he suffered.
“I am with them (when the blast happened), they were in front of me, but I can’t do anything as a husband and as a father,” he said.
Larida said he was seated on a small chair facing his son, who quickly shielded him, while his wife was having a massage, when the explosion ripped the apart the establishment.
“Maybe, God saved me through my son – I already accepted that I can no longer be with them, but the pain still remains. Every time I am home and I can see the small box of coins of my son, it pains me – I cry,” he said.
He added due to the trauma he had suffered, he could noit work and was having a hard time bringing everything back to normal.
According to him, he does not have any hatred against those people behind the deaths of his son and wife.
“I don’t hate them, but if I have a chance to see them, I will read them a scripture in the Bible that one day, they would have to accept Jesus Christ as savior of their lives,” Larida said.
Earlier, the city government handed P40,000 to the families of those who died during the incident, while those injured received P30,000.
