Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian said on Monday (May 5) that the agency is one with the government in ensuring that holistic support and justice will be given to the victims of the car crash at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the road collision along the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).

Secretary Gatchalian on Monday personally conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family of the couple from Plaridel, Bulacan who perished in the multi-vehicular collision at the SCTEX.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, in a video message, conveyed his condolences to the victims as he vowed to reform the transport system and ensure accountability in the two vehicular accidents.

“We want the families to know that the DSWD is here,” Secretary Gatchalian said in a Facebook post.

The couple was among the 10 dead in the May 1 SCTEX incident who each received Php50,000 burial assistance from the DSWD.

On top of the burial assistance, the DSWD chief assured the bereaved family that the agency will link them up with other national government agencies for them to receive other forms of aid that they may still need.

“Aside from financial assistance, I promised to help them get the death certificates registered,” Secretary Gatchalian said.

Upon the request of the family, the agency will coordinate with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to remove the pictures of the couple’s child posted in the internet.

“We will also bring them to the Department of Justice Secretary so they can get the justice they deserve,” the DSWD chief said.

Secretary Gatchalian also visited the wake of the 29-year-old man from Hagonoy, Bulacan, who was among the two fatalities in the NAIA Terminal 1 incident last Sunday (May 4).

“Went to the wake of Dearick in Hagonoy, Bulacan to hand-deliver the assistance of DSWD and to talk to the family to assure them that the Department is here ready to help,” the DSWD chief also shared in a Facebook post