Families of earthquake victims flying to New Zealand

CEBU, Philippines - With the help of the Cebu Provincial Government, one member of the family of each of the five victims of the earthquake will fly to New Zealand soon.

The Capitol will help in the processing their passports and visas. The Provincial Government will also shoulder their accommodation and roundtrip tickets to New Zealand. 

They may leave the country between March 12 to 14.

The family of the victims met with Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday, who assured to provide 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 last 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 in New Zealand who are studying English at King’s Education in Christchurch.

They were Rhea Mae Sumalpong, Emabelle Amoba, John Christopher Chua, Ezhra Mae Medalle and Cecile Redoble.

Garcia said informing the Department of Foreign Affairs is all they can do now as the agency is the one handling the affairs outside the country.

Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office Chief Marivic Garces will take charge of the processing.

Dr. Ethel Yu, aunt of Sumalpong, said counseling is currently being made to console the families of the Cebuana nurses who were trapped inside the building. She said these are being done by concerned Filipinos in New Zealand. – (FREEMAN)