Families of drowning victims to get burial aid/ Contractors warned

CITY HALL BEAT

Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- – The City Government through the Office of the City Social Welfare and Development Officer reached out to the families left behind by the victims of the separate drowning incidents in La Union over the holidays.
     In a report to Mayor Benjamin Magalong Dec. 31, 2022, OCSWD Officer Liza Bulayungan said the bereaved families of George Gines, 67 of Bakakeng Central, his daughter Geosa Gines, 26, of Bakakeng Norte, Ian Christopher Atolba, 21, of Imelda Village and an 11-year grade 5 pupil and resident of Bokawkan Road, Cresencia Village will receive P5,000 burial assistance from the city government.
    They were also extended food assistance and psychological support to address trauma especially for the surviving minors.
    Earlier, the three older victims were awarded financial assistance of P10,000 each from the Dept. of Social Welfare and Dev't regional office (DSWD-CAR) to help defray funeral expenses while the minor victim was given P10,000 plus P22,000 for cremation services.
    The report said the girl together with four other minor children travelled to Bauang, La Union last Dec. 30, 2022 for a swim without the knowledge of their parents.
    On the same day, Atolba also drowned along with his two companions from La Trinidad town in Dalumpinas, San Juan, La Union. They went to the beach to attend a birthday celebration.
    Osillo and Gines, meanwhile, were on a family outing at Taberna, Baccuit, Bauang, La Union when the unfortunate incident happened on Dec. 26, 2022.
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Contractors with completed projects in the different parts of the city have been given until Jan. 15, 2023 to clear up all construction debris in their project sites.
    The mayor said a lot of finished projects were observed to have unkempt surroundings which transgresses the contractors' obligations to maintain proper housekeeping in their project sites.
    He warned that those who will not comply will face appropriate charges.
    The mayor at the same time called out anew contractors presently undertaking projects who neglect the upkeep and safety of their construction sites.
    He said they have to maintain cleanliness and safety of their project sites and make it happen immediately or be prepared to face a cease and desist order.
    The mayor reminded them to install barriers, proper signages, and to implement occupational, housekeeping and other safety requirements in their project locations.
    The mayor said construction companies and their men must make conscious efforts to keep their construction sites safe and tidy for the safety of passersby, commuters, motorists and even their own workers.
    “This is part of your occupational safety responsibility," he said.
    Besides, he said the negligence of some contractors reflects on the image of the city as the disorderly state of the project sites puts the city in a bad light.
    He said he wants the city's Clean and Orderly Baguio campaign made more vigorous starting this new year when he said the city will aim to go all out in its economic recovery efforts.
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Baguio City recorded a total of six firecracker-related injuries from its surveillance from Dec. 22, 2022 to Jan. 1, 2023.
    City Health Officer Dr. Rowena Galpo said the blast injury victims were four males and two females.  One case was reported on Dec. 25, 2022, two on Dec. 31 and three on Jan. 1, 2023.
    Four were active cases and two were passive meaning the injury was not caused by the victim's direct handling of the pyrotechnic devices.
     Three of the victims sustained injuries caused by kwitis, two due to spraklers and one due to a roman candle.  Injuries were on the eyes, hands, extremities and neck.
    Three of the six were under the influence of liquor.
    The city maintained its long-running stand to discourage the sale and use of firecrackers and instead mounted community activities for the revelry.
    Last year, there were two incidents listed while in 2021, the city achieved a zero casualty status.
    The city has an existing ordinance which bans the sale and use of certain firecrackers but it has been the hope of health authorities that the measure can be upgraded to implement a total ban on these pyrotechnic devices.