Kin of Igbaras tragedy victims finally get NDCC aid
After more than a year of waiting the surviving families of the victims of the Songsongon overflow tragedy in Igbaras, Iloilo last October 2, 2006 has finally received the much-awaited financial assistance from the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).
Jonathan Elumba, president of the Ten-Two-Zero Six Surviving Families Association, Inc., an association of the surviving families of the victims of the Igbaras tragedy, informed The News Today over the weekend that each of the victim's families already received the P10,000 financial assistance from NDCC last February 14, 2008.
Then Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) chair Police Chief Supt. Geary Barias pledged the financial assistance to the victims' families at the height of the tragedy in 2006.
But it was never released because Barias was later transferred to Metro Manila.
In a check with the RDCC in June 2007, Elumba was told that the financial assistance could not be provided as the tragic accident was caused by a vehicular accident which is in contrary to the pertinent provisions of the NDCC rules and procedures in extending financial assistance.
But it did not discourage Elumba and his group, they asked the help of Igbaras Mayor Jaime Esmeralda who in turn wrote a letter to NDCC chair and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro asking for a reconsideration.
Also, the group sought the assistance of the new RDCC chair Chief Supt. Wilfredo Dulay Jr. who in a letter to Teodoro cited that the victims' families are entitled to financial assistance as the "tragedy may be classified as natural being triggered by heavy rainfall induced by tropical storm Neneng last October 2, 2006."
Last February 14, after more than a year of waiting, Elumba and his group received a very important news—that their financial assistance from the NDCC was already up for release at the Office of the Municipal Mayor.
Elumba immediately gathered the other members of their association and brought them to the municipal hall to receive their checks.
The releasing of financial aid was facilitated by Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) chair Jeremy Bionat.
"We are very thankful to our Creator, the Almighty God, and to all the officials who helped us for the blessings that we received," Elumba said.
Elumba also thanked couple Atty. Gatpatan and Mrs. Pilar Diaz-Gatpatan who continuously made follow-ups of their letter to the NDCC.
Elumba said though the financial assistance came in late it would still be of great help to them as it could support the cooperative they have organized.
It can be recalled that the Songsongon overflow tragedy occurred on October 2, 2006 after a jeepney full of passengers coming from a burial was carried away by strong current of water while crossing the Songsongon overflow. The tragic accident claimed a total of 41 lives (22 dead, 19 missing).