PAGCOR extends help to blast victims

DAVAO CITY – More agencies have put in cash assistance for the victims of the blast in Davao City, three weeks after the fatal incident at the Roxas Night Market which killed 15 and injured 69 others.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) has extended R5 million cash assistance to the Davao City Government for the medicines and hospital expenses of the more than 80 victims of the Roxas night market bombing, according to the City Information Office.

The City Information Office said Arnel B. Ignacio, Pagcor Vice President for Community Affairs, personally handed over the R5-million check to City Administrator Zuleika T. Lopez, who represented Mayor Inday Sara Z. Duterte.

Ignacio said the deadly blast that killed 15 and injured 69 others shocked the whole country but expressed trust that Dabawenyos could “stand from where they fall.”

Ignacio adds that Pagcor will make sure their office’s financial assistance will go to legitimate recipients.

The assistance comes the same time that the Office of the President provided assistance ranging from P50,000 for outpatient cases to P250,000 for the families of those killed.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte personally handed the checks to the families of the slain and wounded at a ceremony here Monday night. (Yas D. Ocampo)