Survivors to get P5T cash aid

CEBU, Philippines - Each survivor of the sunken M/V St. Thomas Aquinas is entitled to receive P5,000 financial assistance from shipping company according to  2GO Assistant Vice President Lito Salvio during yesterday morning’s command conference at the office of Mayor Michael Rama.

“We have, so far, distributed financial assistance to 506 survivors.

That’s about P2.5 million,” Salvio said.

The number includes 387 passengers and the rest are crew members.

Salvio continued that aside from the financial assistance, rescued passengers were provided with basic needs while staying in temporary shelters.

They also shouldered the airfare of passengers from other provinces, mostly from Mindanao.

Supercat General Manager Engr. Boy Mundo said they have distributed 500 underwear, 500 slippers, as well as toiletries including toothbrush, t-shirt and towels.

Salvio expressed concern over reports of having 172 unaccounted or missing individuals, which is more than the 87 in their list.

The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, which regularly meets with 2GO officers has the same figure with the shipping firm.

“We are wondering why the number rose to 172 when our list is only 87 composed of 80 passengers and 7 crew members,” he said.

After the command conference at the city hall, Rama, together with his Vice Mayor Edgar Labella and Councilor Dave Tumulak visited the Talisay Fish Port where the provincial rescue operation is based.

Rama also had a closed door meeting with Cebu Governor Junjun Davide.

The mayor said there is a need to settle the conflicting figures and tally of survivors and fatalities from the city, province, 2GO and Philippine Coast Guard.

This is to prevent confusion, especially since the rescue operation is being monitored nationwide and even from abroad with television stations from Hongkong and China sending reporters at the site. — (FREEMAN)