Palace extends aid, scholarship to families of Negros Oriental attack victims

The administration extended over P600,000 worth of assistance to the bereaved families of the victims of the ambush attack against Governor Roel Degamo in Pamplona, Negros Oriental earlier this month.

In a press statement on Monday, the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) said the families received a total of P683,740 worth of assistance. Of the figures, P390,000 came from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) while the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) had given at least P293, 740.

Of the total assistance, P110,000 were allocated for burial assistance; P160,000 was for cash assistance; P70,000 for food assistance; P43,740 for medical assistance; P140,000 for hospitalization assistance, and P160,000 was given hospital bills. A total of 19 food packs were also handed to the grieving families.

Further, seven students were given educational assistance while others were provided with livelihood assistance," Seven individuals  likewise received employment assistance.

Degamo and eight others were killed by armed men while the governor was distributing aid to his constituents on March 4.

One of the suspects behind his killing surrendered.

On Sunday, Degamo's widow, Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, filed a petition appealing to Congress to have Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. dismissed as a member of the House of Representatives after two suspects linked a 'Cong Teves' in the killing of the governor.

Teves has yet to return to the Philippines from his trip to the US and has already asked the House leadership to extend his leave for two months  due to 'grave security threats'. House Speaker Martin Romualdez, meanwhile, urged Teves to reconsider his decision not to return to the country.

Teves has denied any involvement in the Degamo killing.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News