The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to reach out through one-on-one interviews with the bereaved families of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) commandos killed during the Mamasapano, Maguindanao clash last month.

DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman instructed concerned DSWD-Field Offices to continue to talk to the immediate family members of the Fallen 44.

The interviews are meant to assess and facilitate the provision of the immediate additional needs of the families. This is on top of the critical incident stress debriefing (CISD) that will be provided to them as soon as they are ready to vent their feelings.

To date, 16 families have already been interviewed.

During the initial interviews,  the 16 families expressed their need for livelihood assistance.

Likewise, some of them  articulated their need for subsistence allowance to sustain the basic needs of their children and elderly parents.

“We are also currently assessing the families’ other requests. For instance, one family requested medical assistance for the eye operation of their mother, and medication of their father who has pneumonia and hypertension,” Sec. Soliman explained.

She added that social workers are also assisting them  to become members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and helping the elderly to obtain their senior citizen’s cards.

One family was also provided with financial assistance covering their transportation and accommodation in coming to Manila for the arrival honors.

“Having lost the breadwinner in the family, I can understand their appeal. We will do our best to grant their request,” Sec. Soliman said.

Meanwhile, DSWD continues to receive donations as an aid to the families of the slain PNP-SAF commandos.

As of February 9, the Department has already received a total of P381, 845.80.

The daily updates on donations, transactions can be accessed through the DSWD website old.dswd.gov.ph. ###