Families of 2 slain Filipinos in Gaza get financial assistance from DSWD

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided financial aid to the families of two slain Filipinos in the attack of Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel.

According to the DSWD, the families of the two Filipinos were given financial assistance of P10,000 under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program. They were also referred to projects under the agency's Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

The fatalities were a 33-year-old female from Pangasinan, who was working in Israel for six years, and a 42-year-old male from Pampanga.

The DSWD said it will also provide burial assistance and psychosocial support to the family.

Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Thursday said he was able to talk to the victims' families. 

"Last night, I made two of the most difficult phone calls I've had to make as President. The nation is one in grieving with the families of the Filipinos who were killed in the attacks on Israel," said Marcos.

"We will provide the utmost support to the families they were taken from," Marcos added.

Likewise, the President said such tragedy will not deter the Filipino spirit.

"We will continue to stand for peace," he said.

Marcos earlier said that the Philippines stands with Israel following the deadly attacks by Hamas.

The Philippines has placed Gaza under Alert Level 3 amid the ongoing reprisal strikes by Israel.

Alert Level 3 means voluntary repatriation.

There are 137 Filipinos in Gaza, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).  —Jiselle Anne Casucian/ VAL, GMA Integrated News