CEBU, Philippines - The three-year old twin of Mark Lester Tisoy, who was killed during the fire last Monday night in Sitio Hawod, Barangay Bulacao, Talisay City, will undergo stress debriefing in order for him to cope with the trauma that he might have suffered.
Mark Lester was killed in the blaze while his twin brother, Mark Anthony, was rescued by a family member before the house was engulfed by the fire. The family of the twins lived at the house of their grandfather, Eliseo Tisoy, with two other families.
City social welfare officer Felipa Solana said that a stress debriefing will also include the members of the family and the victims of the fire.
Solana said they should undergo psycho-social processing to help bring them back to their usual functioning from their traumatic experience. This way, the person will be relieved of the stress brought about by the traumatic incident.
The children would undergo draw and tell sessions where they are encouraged to draw their experiences to mitigate the effects of their trauma.
Initial investigation conducted by Fire Investigator Officer 2 Cesar de la Serna said the twins were reportedly playing matches in the room of an aunt, where flammable materials like thinner and paints were stored.
The parents of the twins and the other family members were busy finishing the rush orders for icons of the Baby Jesus since the Sto. Niño fiesta is drawing near.
De la Serna said the family members panicked and only Mark Anthony was brought out of the house.
He said it was too late when the family members realized that Mark Lester was still inside the room where the fire started.
The father, Antonio, wanted to return to the house to save his son but the fire had already spread.
Five houses were destroyed owned by the twins’ grandfather Eliseo, Ligaya Ababon, Galo Cabriana, Celso Cabellon and Juleson Daan. — (FREEMAN)