Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando said Monday the families of the five rescuers who died in the line of duty in San Miguel town will receive all the benefits due them.
Fernando expressed grief over the deaths and lauded the heroic efforts of the five victims who were swept away by raging floodwater while conducting rescue operations during the onslaught of Typhoon Karding.
“Kulang ang mga salita upang ipahayag ang aking kalungkutan sa naganap na trahedya sa ating mga kasamang rescuers ng Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. Sa ngalan ng lalawigan ng Bulacan, ako ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat at ikinararangal ang kanilang ipinamalas na kabayanihan at matapat na pagtupad sa kanilang tungkulin, sukdulang isakripisyo ang kanilang sariling buhay,” the governor said.
“The provincial government will turn over all the benefits intended for the victims to their respective families, including my personal financial assistance.”
The governor said the provincial government will turn over all the benefits intended for the victims to their respective families, including his personal financial assistance.
Fernando also personally made funeral arrangements for the victims.
The remains of the five rescuers lie in state at the Glory to God Funeral Services in San Miguel and will be transported back to their respective families after the autopsy.
Meanwhile, over 1,500 families were forced to leave their homes and take shelter in various evacuation centers to escape the fury of Karding.
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office Head Rowena Tiongson said 117 evacuation centers are currently housing 1,571 families, including 1,447 children and 231 senior citizens.
Fernando, together with Vice Governor Alexis Castro, led the distribution of family food packs and non-food items to 176 families temporarily sheltered at the Obando Municipal Hall.
He said he will also visit and deliver aid to the affected Bulakenyos in the municipalities of San Miguel, Dona Remedios Trinidad, Angat, San Ildefonso, and San Rafael which were also badly hit by Karding.
“Hangga’t hindi humuhupa ang tubig sa kanilang mga lugar ay hindi muna po natin pababalikin ang mga evacuees sa kanilang mga tahanan dahil delikado pa.”
“Hangga’t hindi humuhupa ang tubig sa kanilang mga lugar ay hindi muna po natin pababalikin ang mga evacuees sa kanilang mga tahanan dahil delikado pa. Pupuntahan po natin sila. Uunahin lamang po natin ang mga lubhang naapektuhan ng pagbaha at sisikapin po natin tulungan ang lahat ng nasalanta,” Fernando stressed.
