The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Field Office 3 (Central Luzon), has provided various forms of assistance to the families of the 14 fishermen who figured in a maritime incident off the waters of Bajo de Masinloc (BDM) in the West Philippine Sea last October 2.

Three of the fishermen, including the captain of the ill-fated FFB Dearyn died during the collision with a foreign vessel.

Social workers from DSWD FO-3 have provided psychosocial intervention to the 11 fishermen who survived and the bereaved families of the three deceased fishermen.

“There is an apparent slight trauma caused by the incident on the survivors but they are coping well and have strong endurance. They expressed emotional distress due to lack of income to support their families,” DWSD Central Luzon Regional Director Venus Rebuldela said.

The FO-3 Director said the “kumustahan session” and financial assistance helped relieved some of the fishermen’s worries.

The DSWD FO-3 provided a total of Php190,000 worth of assistance that includes food aid amounting to Php70,000; educational assistance, Php 90,000; and burial assistance worth Php30,000 (Php 10,000 each to the families of the dead fishermen).

The families of the three fishermen will also receive educational assistance upon completion of the needed documentation.

“They were also provided with information and assessed for eligibility for the Sustainable Livelihood Program,” the FO-3 director said.#