Families to receive government assistance

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Due to inclement weather, President Rodrigo Duterte was forced to cancel his visit to the wake for the nine slain National Federation of Sugar Workers farmers in Sagay City last Tuesday night.

Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones affirmed the president did arrive as scheduled to Bacolod-Silay Airport, where he was supposed to be taken via helicopter to Sagay City. However, while aboard the helicopter, they encountered heavy rains and were forced to return to the airport.

The cabinet official said Duterte will return but could not specify when.

He also said the president will be providing financial assistance to victims’ families.

Aside from the assistance provided by the national government, Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. revealed the provincial government would offer livelihood assistance and scholarship assistance to the surviving children of the slain victims.

The governor also said they may award the families land titles as a settlement./DGB, WDJ