Capitol to give financial aid to kin of trapped Cebuanos

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday announced the Capitol will extend financial assistance to each of the family of Cebuanos who are among those trapped after an earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Each family will receive P30,000 from the provincial government as approved by Garcia yesterday.

Earlier, the governor said the provincial government would shoulder the expenses of one member each family of the five victims to fly to New Zealand. But she later changed her mind following reports that the Department of Foreign Affairs is now assisting the relatives of the missing Filipinos who wish to go to New Zealand to help in the identification of the fatalities.

At present, the DFA is reportedly coordinating with the New Zealand Embassy in Manila for the issuance of visas as well as the expeditious release of the relatives’ passports and other requirements for the trip.

In a meeting with the family of the victims last Tuesday, Garcia assured them of the Capitol’s assistance.

At least five Cebuanos were among the 12 Filipinos trapped or missing following the 6.3 magnitude earthquake that struck Christchurch City in New Zealand on February 22.

The Cebuanos were on the third floor of the building located along Madras Street, Christchurch, when the earthquake struck.

The victims were nurses working there who are studying English at King’s Education in Christchurch.

They were Rhea Mae Sumalpong of Naga City, Emmabelle Amoba of Minglanilla, John Kristoffer Chua of Lapu-lapu City, Ezra Mae Medalle of Danao City and Jessie Lloyd Redoble of Naga City. — (FREEMAN)