The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has distributed financial assistance from China and Hungary for the victims of the 2019 Sulu and Zamboanga City bombing incidents.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian received the donations from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Hungary government on Wednesday, amounting to P35.85 million and P1.67 million, respectively.
The donations from the two countries were given through a ceremonial turnover held at the Sumaja Hall, SACC, Patikul, Sulu, and at the DSWD Field Office in Zamboanga City last Wednesday. The donations were then immediately distributed to the intended beneficiaries.
The respective families of the two slain civilians during the Zamboanga City bombing received P350,000 each, while the four wounded persons received P245,000 each from the PRC.
Meanwhile, Gatchalian said 84 out of the 135 victims of the Sulu bombing incident also received financial assistance from the PRC. Families of the slain individuals received P350,000 each while the wounded victims received P245,000 each.
Aside from the cash aid given by China, an additional P15,600 each for the families of those who perished, and P11,000 each for the wounded victims were extended by the government of Hungary. The rest of the victims still under validation.
“To the families of the victims, first, we apologize that the processing of your assistance took a while. But today, we will provide what is due to you,” Gatchalian said.
Along with the financial assistance that was given through checks and through the Land Bank account of the beneficiaries, the DSWD also distributed family food packs and hygiene kits to the bombing victims and families of the casualties.
The Secretary also vowed to continue to help and provide programs and services to the residents of Zamboanga City.
“We’ll make sure that the entire city of Zamboanga…we will serve and cater to all your needs whether it’s disaster, relief operations, or development programs… We assure you that DSWD will be beside you all the way,” Gatchalian said.
The Sulu bombing happened on January 27, 2019 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel affecting 112 civilians and 23 members of the military troops, followed by the January 30, 2019 bombing at a mosque in Barangay Talon-Talon, Zamboanga City leaving four wounded individuals and two dead civilians. Maricel V. Cruz