Family of boy killed by tree receives aid

THE family of the 10-year-old boy who died after he was pinned down by a buli or palm tree Friday night received financial assistance from Profoods Inc., the owner of the lot where the tree stood.

The Mandaue city government will also be giving financial assistance to the family of Antonio Cortes Jr. of barangay Cubacub.

Cubacub barangay captain Edgar Bihag said he already submitted a report to the Social Welfare Office of Mandaue City to expedite the processing of the financial assistance.

The incident prompted the officials to look for trees in the barangay that pose danger to the people. These trees will either be pruned or cut down.

Bihag will also be asking Profoods Inc. to cut the remaining buli tree in its lot as it is a threat to the houses nearby.

The 40-foot buli tree fell down due to the heavy rains and strong winds brought about by Typhoon Sendong.

It crushed the house of the Cortes family killing Antonio Jr. During the incident, his father was working in Liloan while his mother Cecil was in a clinic to have his younger sister checked.

He was supposed to attend a Christmas party yesterday in his school in Canduman Elementary School.

Cecil still could not accept the death of his boy whom she described as very industrious and wished she were home when it happened.

Antonio’s remains lie at the house of their landlady as the house they were renting is beyond repair.

He will be buried on Friday, Dec. 23. Correspondent Norman V. Mendoza