ANGELES CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured continued government assistance to workers and families affected by the collapse of a building under construction in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City, as national and local authorities continue response efforts following the incident on May 24.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian visited the incident site to inspect the extent of the damage and check on the condition of affected individuals and their families.
In line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Gatchalian said the government will continue delivering immediate assistance and comprehensive interventions to help affected individuals recover from the incident.
“The instruction of our President is first to coordinate with the local government so that the needs of the victims, whether they have already gone out of the area or are still waiting for updates, are addressed and assistance is ensured,” Gatchalian said.
He emphasized that many of those affected are construction workers who depend on daily wages.
“We know that these are workers under a no-work, no-pay arrangement. Since work has stopped, we need to help them and their families because otherwise, where will they get food?” he said.
Gatchalian added that DSWD will continue coordinating with the local government unit as it obtains the complete list of affected individuals to ensure assistance reaches all beneficiaries.
As part of the government’s immediate response, DSWD Field Office III initially provided assistance amounting to approximately P445,014.10 for 34 affected individuals and their families.
The assistance included 34 family food packs, 34 hygiene kits, 34 ready-to-eat food, and P10,000 in financial assistance for each affected individual to help cover their immediate needs.
Bryan Sytangco, 46, a construction worker from Camarines Sur who was among those affected by the incident, recalled his experience during the collapse.
Sytangco said he had just awakened when debris suddenly began falling through the roof.
“Pagkagising ko, nahulog na yung malaking bato na tumagos sa bubong. Noong tumatakbo na ako at balak ko nang lumabas, naguhuan na ako at naipit, tapos biglang dumilim dahil nawalan ng kuryente. Wala akong ibang maisip kundi iligtas ang sarili ko. Wala akong makita dahil madilim,” Sytangco said.
He said he later noticed light coming from flashlights outside and saw a small opening that enabled him to escape.
“Maya-maya may naghihiyawan na sa labas. May naaninag akong liwanag mula sa mga flashlight, tapos nakita ko na may maliit na butas. Tinulungan ko ang sarili ko hanggang makalabas ako. Paglabas ko, gumuho na pala yung building,” he added.
Sytangco also expressed gratitude for the assistance provided to affected workers and their families.
“Maraming salamat po talaga sa tulong na inabot sa amin. Malaking tulong talaga sa amin iyon dahil kung hindi dahil sa tulong na inabot sa amin, unang iisipin namin kung paano kami makakauwi. Katulad ko na wala nang natira. Pag-uwi namin, wala rin kaming dala. Maraming salamat talaga sa tulong para maka-recover kami,” he said.
Gatchalian said DSWD will continue coordinating with local government units and field offices to ensure assistance remains available even after survivors return to their respective communities.
He added that workers returning to their respective provinces and communities would continue receiving support through DSWD field offices in their areas.
“Once they return home, we will arrange sustainable livelihood assistance for them so that if they want to start earning in their communities, they will no longer need to travel to Manila,” he said.
Gatchalian noted that livelihood grants ranging from P15,000 to P20,000 may be provided to qualified beneficiaries, while larger assistance may be extended for group-based livelihood projects.
Aside from cash and livelihood support, DSWD also assured medical and burial assistance for affected individuals and their families as part of the agency’s standard interventions.
The DSWD regional office is also set to provide additional assistance for the families of the two reported fatalities through guarantee letters for burial assistance amounting to P50,000.
Bereaved families will likewise receive support under the Cash Relief Assistance component of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program.
In addition to financial and other forms of assistance, Gatchalian emphasized that psychosocial support remains an important component of the response, noting that social workers and grief counselors have been deployed to assist affected individuals and families in coping with trauma.
“Bago tayo mag-usap ng cash, bago mag-usap ng food packs, bago mag-usap ng livelihood grant, importante muna yung trauma ma-deal with, and nandiyan naman kahapon pa hanggang ngayon yung mga grief counselors natin, yung mga social workers natin who are equipped to take care of that aspect,” he said.
Authorities continue to closely monitor the situation and provide assistance to affected individuals and families as they validate the identities and locations of those involved.
