ILOILO City — Nothing could assuage the grief of a 36-year-old woman from Barotac Nuevo town after she lost her husband and three children to Typhoon Ursula on Christmas Day, but the assistance from Iloilo’s provincial government could help her move forward.
“I am thankful, but the pain is still here as no amount could equate to human life. Still, I am thankful to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. as our problem in (the) financial aspect is at least being given a solution,” Andria de Asis said in an interview on Friday.
De Asis and 15 others who lost family members during the onslaught of “Ursula” each received PHP20,000 in cash from the provincial government through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO).
De Asis received P80,000 as her husband Roel, 41; their children Rose Mae, 15; Roel Jr., 10; and Rhianna, 3, perished in a flood caused by the typhoon.
She recalled the tragic Christmas Eve in Batad town where her family spent their vacation.
“It was on Dec. 25. I was in Manila because I was supposed to return to Kuwait to work as a domestic helper,” de Asis related.
Left with two children, aged 19 years and 16 years, she said the financial aid she received from the provincial government could help them start anew. Aside from cash, the provincial government also promised to provide her a job.
In a separate interview, PSWDO head, Dr. Neneth Pador, said the provincial government would also find a scholarship program for her two remaining children.
In total, the PSWDO released P320,000 to the families of Ursula victims.
Pador said the assistance could help the families settle their burial expenses and support their daily needs.
Meanwhile, a cash-for-work program would be arranged to assist families whose houses were damaged by the typhoon, she said. (With a report from PNA/PN)
