Families of drowning victims to get burial aid from city

The City Government through the Office of the City Social Welfare and Development Officer reached out to the families left behind by the victims of the separate drowning incidents in La Union over the holidays.

In a report to Mayor Benjamin Magalong on Dec. 31, 2022 OCSWD Officer Liza Bulayungan said the bereaved families of George Gines, 67 of Bakakeng Central, his daughter Geosa Gines, 26, of Bakakeng Norte, Ian Christopher Atolba, 21, of Imelda Village and an 11-year grade 5 pupil and resident of Bokawkan Road, Cresencia Village will receive P5,000 burial assistance from the city government.

They were also extended food assistance and psychological support to address trauma especially for the surviving minors.

Earlier, the three older victims were awarded financial assistance of P10,000 each from the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development regional office (DSWD-CAR) to help defray funeral expenses while the minor victim was given P10,000 plus P22,000 for cremation services.

The report said the girl together with four other minor children traveled to Bauang, La Union last Dec. 30, 2022 for a swim without the knowledge of their parents.

On the same day, Atolba also drowned along with his two companions from La Trinidad town in Dalumpinas, San Juan, La Union. They went to the beach to attend a birthday celebration.

Osillo and Gines, meanwhile, were on a family outing at Taberna, Baccuit, Bauang, La Union when the unfortunate incident happened on Dec. 26, 2022. – Aileen P. Refuerzo