CEBU, Philippines - Cebu third district Representative Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday visited earthquake victims confined at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.
Garcia, a former governor, said she was shocked upon learning of the tragedy while having session at the House of Representatives.
Garcia consoled the victims, many of whom are from Toledo City and Pinamungajan town.
She said she is giving financial assistance to the victims from her own pocket.
"I will be giving them financial assistance coming from my own personal pocket," Garcia said.
Since majority of the victims are beneficiaries of the government's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, they will incur "zero billing," which means they do not have to pay for their hospital bills.
Garcia added that she will assess the extent of the infrastructure damage in her district in her effort to ask for assistance.
Pinamungajan Mayor Glenn Baricuatro, who was with Garcia during her visit, said that each victim was already given financial assistance from the local government unit.
Most of the victims in Pinamungajan were injured at the town's auditorium where a gathering was held for the distribution of the 4Ps assistance.
The quake caused panic that resulted to a stampede, which seriously injured a four-year-old Angel.
"Nagtuo ko nga patay na gyud kay nilagom na siya unya nayatak yatakan sa mga tawo. Nagpasalamat gyud ko sa Ginoo nga nabuhi intawon akong anak," said Angel's mother.
Nonoy Mongaya, VSMMC media liaison officer, said that 77 patients at Ward 9 were transferred to the earthquake-proof VSMMC-JAICA building after their ward ceiling collapsed when the quake struck. — (FREEMAN)