Capitol gives monetary aid to "buriring" poisoning victims

CEBU, Philippines – The Cebu Provincial Government is set to provide financial assistance as well as assistance in kind to the victims of puffer fish poisoning in Barangay Cabutongan, Santander last Sunday evening.

The fisherman who caught the fish died as well as his friend after eating the puffer fish. Six others are also recuperating in a hospital. 

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday said that the Province will assist in paying for the medical expenses of the six victims who were brought to the Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) due to severe vomiting.

She also said that a P5,000-burial assistance will be given to the families of the two victims who died after eating the buriring.

Rolando Tano, 48, died instantly after eating the buriring, while Alejandro Cuerpo, 51, a barangay tanod of Cabutongan was declared dead on arrival at the Oslob District Hospital.

Tano's pregnant daughter Airene,19, was also in a critical condition while her sibling Louie Jay,13, and Cuerpo's son Algie, 28, were also taken to the hospital.

Others who were also rushed to the hospital were their relatives who joined their dinner last Sunday. They were identified as Baldomiro Base, 69, Salvador Base, 48 and Reymond Base, 16. (THE FREEMAN)