The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has begun extending cash aid and relief assistance to workers and families affected by the collapse of a nine-story building under construction in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga.
The incident left four people dead, while 17 others remain missing or feared trapped under the rubble as rescue and recovery operations continue.
Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said Monday that the DSWD initially provided P10,000 in financial assistance to each of the 34 affected individuals. The agency also distributed family food packs and hygiene kits to survivors and relatives of the construction workers.
The DSWD chief said authorities are still working to complete and validate the list of affected individuals, especially since many of the workers came from provinces outside Pampanga.
He said the assistance is part of the government’s continuing response while rescue and retrieval teams remain at the site, where clearing operations are being carried out carefully due to unstable debris and the risk of further collapse.
The DSWD chief said the agency is also concerned about the loss of income among affected construction workers, many of whom are under a “no work, no pay” arrangement.
“Obviously, work has stopped, so we need to help them and their families because otherwise, where will they get food?” Gatchalian said.
Aside from immediate cash aid and relief goods, the DSWD said affected families may also qualify for medical and burial assistance, as well as livelihood support ranging from P15,000 to P20,000.
Higher assistance may be provided for group livelihood programs to help affected workers recover from the loss of income caused by the collapse.
Gatchalian assured that survivors who have returned to their home provinces, including Bicol and Bulacan, will continue receiving assistance through coordination with DSWD field offices and barangay officials.
He said livelihood support will be important because it may take time before displaced construction workers can find new sources of income.
Meanwhile, rescue and recovery operations continue at the collapse site, where teams are carefully removing concrete slabs, twisted steel bars, and other debris in the search for those still missing.