The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has started providing psychosocial support to families and individuals affected by the collapse of a nine-storey building in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga.
The intervention is being extended on top of the initial food, non-food, and financial assistance already provided to victims, survivors, and affected workers over the weekend.
DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao said the agency is prioritizing families who lost loved ones, as well as those still waiting for updates on missing relatives.
“Tinitiyak din po natin na mayroong psychosocial interventions para sa mga pamilya, lalo na po doon sa mga nawalan ng mga mahal sa buhay at sa mga naghihintay pa rin ng balita tungkol sa mga nawawala nilang kaanak,” Dumlao said.
The DSWD said at least three people had died and 21 others remained missing as of Monday following the collapse of the building under construction on May 24.
The agency has so far provided around P392,659 worth of humanitarian assistance to 47 affected individuals.
The assistance included family food packs, hygiene kits, ready-to-eat food boxes, and P10,000 in financial aid for affected persons.
Dumlao said the DSWD continues to monitor the situation and remains prepared to provide additional support depending on the needs of the victims and their families.
The agency said psychosocial support is meant to help affected families cope with shock, grief, anxiety, and uncertainty while rescue and retrieval operations continue at the collapse site.