Tacloban City, Leyte — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) today said that assistance is now being provided to the family-victim  of the fire incident inside the Tent City in Barangay 88.

According to DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, the Department will shoulder the medical expenses and other needs of 7-year old John Mark Reynan Ocenar, who sustained burns during the fire, while the burial expenses of his mother and siblings will be shouldered by the local government.

John Mark is currently being treated at the Eastern Visayas Medical Center in the city. He is being looked after by his father and cousins.

John Mark’s  mother, Maria Elisa, 39,  and his five siblings died in the incident.  The fire was caused by a kerosene lamp that broke out past midnight today.   ###