RDRRMC-8 gives financial assistance to bereaved families of 2 drowning victims in Leyte

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
December 29, 2011

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The Eastern Visayas Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council gave financial assistance in the amount of P10,000 each to the bereaved families of two drowning victims in Leyte.

Director Gozon informed that the RDRRMC always give financial assistance to dead victims of calamities in the region. It is so little compared to the pain and sufferings of the bereaved family but it is good enough help to lessen the financial problems, he said.

OCD Director Rey Gozon, the RDRRMC chairman, personally presented in the afternoon of December 28, the P10,000 financial assistance to the bereaved family of Jassen Bacate, 5 years old, of Los Martires, Dagami, Leyte. Bacate died of drowning during the massive flooding on December 27.

Meanwhile, at 6:00 o’clock in the morning of December 29, Director Gozon delivered the P10,000 financial assistance to the bereaved family of Isabel Matol, 80 years old of Barangay Buntay, Abuyog, Leyte.

When her relatives returned home late in the afternoon from the evacuation center, Matol was found dead of drowning in her house. The relatives forgot all about the victim when in frenzy, they left the house at the height of the flooding. Matol was buried at 9:00 o’clock in the morning of December 29.

Another victim remains missing, April Jake Eyas, 12 years old male from Barangay San Miguel, Tanauan, Leyte. The victim together with five friends, were crossing the mouth of the Canbatista River to watch the opening of the Skimboarding Competition when strong currents swept the 6 boys away. Five boys were rescued by the rescue team of the municipality. Unfortunately, Eyas was swept by strong currents and has not been found.

Director Gozon told the Philippine Information Agency that he has personally requested the Philippine Navy to help in the search and rescue operation for the missing victim.

Another two victims survived their ordeal during the flooding in Leyte. Adolfo Pejula, 59 years old, of Barangay Lusad, Dagami, Leyte, nearly got drowned but he was revived. He sustained injuries in his body.