Victims of Jolo cathedral bombings get aid from ARMM

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)  recently visited 36 of the dozens of wounded victims of the twin bombings of Sulu’s Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral to provide both moral support and cash assistance of P20,000 for their medical needs.

The survivors, who were transferred here, are undergoing treatment at the Zamboanga City Medical Hospital. DSWD ARMM Secretary Laisa Alamia said their staffs in Sulu are also ready to assist the victims and their families.

According to the ARMM HEART (Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team), the regional government released some of P320,000 in cash and distributed the money to the victims in the hospital.

A total of P400,000 was earmarked as initial assistance for the people affected by the bombings, and will be distributed equally among the blast survivors and the families of the people killed by the attacks. And cash assistance of P500,000 will also be given to the parish for the renovation or repair of the cathedral.

While military operations against the Abu Sayyaf continue in Sulu, villagers from Latih and Bungkaong  in Patikul town were also assisted by DSWD ARMM by distributing relief goods to those who fled their homes, according to Alamia.

“So far, the DSWD ARMM has monitored around 62 families displaced, from Barangay Bungkaong and other barangays to Barangay Latih in Patikul.  DSWD ARMM in Sulu started distributing relief goods to the IDPs or internally displaced persons. The number of IDPs is expected to increase in the coming days. The DSWD ARMM will continue to provide assistance to the IDPs until they can safely return to their homes,” she said. (Bureau of Public Information)