The municipal local government of Tanay, Rizal is preparing to give financial aid to the families of the eight individuals who died after the jeepney they rode in was toppled by rampaging water on Saturday night, Dec. 10.
Joicee Gapido from the Office of the Tanay Mayor Rafael Tanjuatco told Manila Bulletin that the office has sent a team of social workers to the upland village of Sta. Ines to assist the families.
The Tanay police identified the victims as Teresita Quinto, Maylard Keith Fernandez, Leonida Doroteo, Salvacion Delgado, Carmen dela Cruz, Esmena Doroteo, Avelino Buera and Teodora Buera.
Seven of the victims were senior citizens and a five year old child.
According to the local government, the victims were on their way to either a branch of Land Bank of the Philippines or at the ATM terminal at the town hall to claim their financial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The last trip of the passenger jeepney going to Barangay Sta. Ines was only supposed to be at around 4 p.m.
The jeepney’s departure time was delayed upon the victims’ request in order for them avoid the long queue at the ATM for the DSWD assistance payout, the local government said.
The Tanay Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO)’s report showed that the wheels of the jeepney got stuck on a rock as they crossed the river at around 8 p.m.
Afterwards, a strong river current turned the jeepney upside down, trapping the passengers in the vehicle.
Rescuers retrieved the bodies of the victims near the site of the incident. They were brought to the barangay covered court.
Social workers brought food packs and other provisions to the survivors.
READ MORE: 8 die in Tanay flash flood