Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Tuesday (May 6) paid his last respects to the eight fatalities of the tragic Labor Day vehicular accident along the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) as he visited their wake at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Antipolo City and expressed his sympathies to the bereaved families.
“Ang office po natin ay handa pong tumulong sa inyo. Hindi man po marami, nais lamang po naming makatulong sa inyo pong pinagdadaanan. Condolence po sa inyo,” Secretary Gatchalian told the grieving families as he hand-delivered the Department’s assistance to the grieving families.
The DSWD chief also told the families that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr also conveys his condolences and has given instructions to check on their welfare and to extend all possible assistance.
“Upon the instructions of the President, went to the wake of the 8 fatalities in the recent SCTEX vehicular accident in Antipolo City. Hand-delivered the assistance of the DSWD to the families of the victims. Had a brief conversation with the families as well. As they seek justice, promised them that we will make arrangements for them to meet with DOJ officials led by Sec. Remulla once things settle,” Secretary Gatchalian said in a Facebook post.
Secretary Gatchalian was accompanied by Undersecretary Monina Josefina Romualdez of the DSWD’s Operations Group (OG) and Social Welfare Officer Renelyn Gonzaga of the DSWD’s Field Office-CALABARZON.
The DSWD chief also told the bereaved families that a social worker will be back to coordinate with them for additional assistance that can be extended by the Department.
Secretary Gatchalian also assured the lone survivor of the van and husband of one of the fatalities that the Department’s Field Office CALABARZON is ready to help him with his needs.
Although still reeling from the effects of the accident and the loss of family members, the bereaved husband expressed his gratitude to the DSWD for reaching out, saying, “yung pagpunta pa lang po dito, salamat po.” (GDVF)