Angeles city: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided initial relief assistance to the 34 individuals affected by the collapse of a building under construction in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City in Pampanga.

According to Philippines News Agency, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD's Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) stated that each of the victims was provided with family food packs, hygiene kits, ready-to-eat food packs, along with financial assistance worth PHP10,000 under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.

The DSWD spokesperson highlighted that the department continues to closely monitor the situation and remains ready to extend additional interventions. This aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directives to ensure the prompt delivery of assistance to victims of calamities.

Dumlao mentioned, 'Initial response pa lamang po ito ng ahensya. Patuloy po nating tinitingnan ang sitwasyon on the ground at handa po tayong magbigay ng karagdagang tulong, kabilang na po ang medical at burial assistance sa ilalim po ng AICS, para sa mga biktima ng insidente sa Pampanga (This is just an initial response. We continue to monitor the situation, and we are ready to provide additional assistance, including medical and burial assistance under the AICS, to the victims of the incident in Pampanga).'

The DSWD official also noted that psychosocial support services are being provided to the families of the victims and affected individuals to help them cope with the traumatic incident.

'Tinitiyak din po natin na mayroong psychosocial interventions para sa mga pamilya, lalo na po doon sa mga nawalan ng mga mahal sa buhay at sa mga naghihintay pa rin ng balita tungkol sa mga nawawala nilang kaanak (We also assure that psychosocial interventions are provided to the affected families, especially to those who are still waiting for news about their missing kin),' she said.

Dumlao assured that the DSWD remains in close coordination with the Angeles City LGU and other concerned agencies to ensure a whole-of-government response. As of posting, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian is in Pampanga to check on the disaster operations and assess the situation for further interventions.