More city aid for kin of victims in gas poisoning

CEBU, Philippines -  The Talisay City Council has recently approved to give financial assistance to the families of the two cousins who died while trying to clean a clogged drainage at the old Tabunok Public Market.

The 31-year-old Romeo Cabanes and his 27-year-old cousin, Brendon Cabanes, died after they inhaled poisonous fumes inside the drainage while they were removing garbage that clogged the drainage through the manhole.

In a council session, Councilor Socrates Fernandez, chairman of the committee on social services, passed a resolution to give financial assistance in the amount of P50,000 to each family.

"The city council decided to grant additional aid of P50,000 to the families of the victims. The Sangguniang Panlungsod authorizes the Hon. Mayor Johnny De los Reyes to give additional assistance to the families of victims, the soonest possible time," Fernandez said in his resolution.

The resolution was supported by the members of the committees - Councilors Antonio Bacaltos, Edward Alesna, Doroteo Emit and Dennis Basillote.

De los Reyes already gave each family P5,000 and he intends to provide jobs for the victim's close relatives at City Hall.

Earlier, the district engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways second engineering district, which includes Talisay City, already pointed out that the lack of the city's drainage plan has caused stagnant water beside the Tabunok public market to flood.

Market-goers and residents who shop at the market have noticed the stagnant water already turning murky.  (FREEMAN)