Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian offered his condolences to the bereaved family of Malia, the 4-year-old kid who was one of the two fatalities in the tragic vehicular crash at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 last May 4.

During his visit to the wake of Malia in Lipa City, Batangas on Friday (May 9), the DSWD chief was able to talk to the victim’s aunt who shared how she brought joy to their family.

“Her [t]ita told me how Malia brought meaning to the lives of her family members by simply being a joyful child,” Secretary Gatchalian said in a post on X platform.

Earlier this week, the DSWD Field Office (FO)-CALABARZON provided Php10,000 worth of medical assistance to each of the three survivors of the car crash, that include Malia’s mother, Cynthia, and her grandmother.

The regional office also provided Php10,000 worth of burial assistance to the family and conducted psychosocial first aid to the victim’s father.

Secretary Gatchalian said he already instructed the FO CALABARZON to keep in touch with the family for any additional assistance.

“Brought assistance from DSWD and ensured that if ever they need further assistance the Department will be ready to help,” the DSWD chief further said in his post on X. (AKDL)