MANILA, Philippines – The families of passengers of perished after three motorboats capsized in the Iloilo Strait on August 3 received P50,000 cash assistance from President Rodrigo Duterte Wednesday night.
Duterte distributed the cash assistance when visited the wake of the fatalities at the Gegato-Abecia Funeral Homes and Crematory in Iloilo City.
The President was likewise supposed to meet with families of the fatalities in Guimaras, but could not make it to the island due to unfavorable weather conditions.
READ: Duterte’s trip to Guimaras canceled due to bad weather
Three motorboats capsized off Iloilo and Guimaras over the weekend.
The death toll has so far risen to 31, with dozens more missing.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo earlier called for “more prudence and caution” in sea travel after the sea tragedy.
READ: Palace: Prudence needed in sea travel in wake of Iloilo, Guimaras tragedy
“I think whoever is responsible for securing the folks during storms should exercise more prudence, caution, and should give the people more guidelines relative to facing this kind of disaster,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing. /gsg