Remaining true to its mission of helping Filipinos in crisis and families affected by disasters and emergencies, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VII extended a total of Php 513,224.00 worth of assistance to the survivors and victims of the shooting incident in Brgy. San Isidro, Pamplona, Negros Oriental.

The assistance was provided to 21 victim-survivors and eight (8) bereaved families, of whom 21 are recuperating and are currently admitted at various hospitals while an affected individual is showing symptoms of trauma. The reported affected individuals in the shooting incident were verified by the concerned local government units (LGUs) and DSWD-7 through the Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) Team in the province of Negros Oriental.

The SWAD Team has conducted intake interviews and provided initial psychological first aid to all the bereaved families and victim-survivors. They expressed that the department’s presence has somehow relieved them of the pain caused by the tragic incident.

Referrals were also forwarded to the MALASAKIT Center for hospital bill coverage for some individuals admitted to the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital.

The figures for the assistance provided are expected to increase following the continued coordination of the Field Office with the affected families. There are still families that have yet to claim their aid following the submission of a few documentary requirements and medical check-ups.

It may be recalled that on the morning of March 4, a shooting incident happened at the residence of the late Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo while tending to his constituents’ requests for medical assistance from the provincial government. The incident led to Degamo’s and eight (8) others’ deaths and affected 21 other individuals.

The DSWD-7 immediately released an official statement, assuring the public that no beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) or any DSWD staff was harmed during the incident. The venue of the 4Ps registration was far from the incident site.

The DSWD-7 has also paused the 4Ps registration to ensure the potential beneficiaries’ and staff’s safety and to respect the province’s time of grief. ###

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