President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has extended more than PhP1 million in financial assistance to the families of students who were killed and injured in the shooting incident at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City.
In a press briefing in Malacañang, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Marcos was deeply saddened by the tragedy, especially since young students were the victims of violence.
“Nakakadurog ng puso, iyan ang naramdaman ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. sa pangyayari sa Tacloban kung saan may mga kabataan na nagbuwis ng buhay para masagip ang ibang kamag-aral. Mga kabataan ang nabibiktima at mga kabataan din ang nambibiktima,” said Castro.
According to Castro, President Marcos also paid tribute to the heroism of the students who sacrificed their lives to save their fellow classmates.
She said, according to the Office of the President, the family of each of the three students who died will receive PhP150,000 while each of the 18 students injured in the incident will receive Php50,000.
“Iba pa ito sa naunang tulong na ipinaabot ng iba’t ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan, kagaya ng Department of Social Welfare and Development sa pangunguna ni Secretary Rex Gatchalian at ng Department of Education sa pamumuno ni Secretary Sonny Angara,” Castro added.
Following the incident, she said the DepEd has strengthened the implementation of school safety measures, including installing metal detectors and CCTV cameras, as well as enhancing coordination with parents and barangay officials.
The President also acknowledged the appeal of the families of the victims that the minor suspects should not merely remain under the custody of the DSWD.
Castro added that the Marcos Administration assured the victims’ families that justice would be served.
“Ang intervention na ito ang ipinatutupad na batas para sa children in conflict with the law. Pero sisiguruhin ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. na makakamit ninyo ang hustisya,” Castro added. (PCO-PND)
