General

DSWD extends cash aid to family of drowning victim in Mt. Province


The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Friday provided PHP10,000 cash aid to the family of a 60-year-old man who drowned in the Chico River during the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami).

‘The assistance aims to provide immediate financial support for the family during this difficult time, helping them cover funeral expenses and other urgent needs as they cope with their loss,’ DSWD-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) said in a social media post.

The agency added that they are in contact with local officials to provide additional aid to the family of the victim.

In an interview, Mountain Province information office chief Novy Afidchao said the victim from Barangay Losad, Mountain Province was believed to have drowned after he was swept by the strong current of the Chico River on Thursday.

He said four teams of rescuers, composed of uniformed personnel and volunteers, conducted search and rescue operations immediately after getting a report at aro
und 11 a.m. Thursday.

Rescue operations were suspended at nighttime and resumed 6 a.m. Friday until the remains were discovered before noon at Sitio Kidang in Bontoc, several kilometers away from where the person was believed to have been swept.

The Chico River runs 175 kilometers through Mountain Province and Kalinga province and merges into the Cagayan River. (

Source: Philippines News agency