Families of Semirara landslide victims to get financial aid

By JC Ansis, CNN Philippines
Updated 09:52 AM PHT Wed, July 22, 2015

(File photo)

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The families of the Semirara mining victims will receive financial assistance from the Antique provincial government.

On the government side, Lazaro Petinglay, Antique provincial Social Welfare and Development officer, said the families would receive P20,000 each while the survivors will get P10,000.

The mishap happened on Friday (July 17) when a landslide hit the coal mine in Semirara Island in Antique at around 4 a.m., burying nine workers.

According to a statement issued by Semirara on Monday (July 20), the bodies of eight of the nine victims buried in the landslide have been recovered.

Semirara has suspended its operations pending an investigation into the incident, as ordered by the Department of Energy (DOE).


SMPC offers financial help as well
In its statement, the Semirara Mining & Power Corporation (SMPC) said it would also extend financial aid to the families of the victims.

SMPC will shoulder the funeral expenses of the nine victims and will give the families of the victims P1 million each. They also vowed to shoulder all the education expenses of the victims’ children.

SMPC is cooperating with government authorities in the investigation of the accident. DOE officials made an initial investigation last Saturday (July 18) and are expected to make a follow-up tomorrow (Tuesday).

CNN Philippines’ regional stringer Elyrose S. Naorbe contributed to this report. source