The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office V – Bicol Region extended compassionate assistance to the grieving families of two fishermen from San Andres, Catanduanes, who lost their lives after their fishing boat sank in the waters off Caramoan, Camarines Sur.
According to family members, the three fishermen went out to sea on January 2, 2026. While fishing, their boat was caught in strong sea surges and currents, causing it to capsize and resulting in the untimely deaths of two of the fishermen.
The lifeless bodies were later recovered in Sitio Lipata, Barangay Gogon, Caramoan, Camarines Sur. Meanwhile, the lone survivor continues to recover from the traumatic incident.
In response, DSWD Bicol Regional Director Norman S. Laurio deployed the Crisis Intervention Section (CIS) in Catanduanes to immediately coordinate with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of San Andres for the provision of necessary relief and support to the affected families.
DSWD Bicol’s Angels in Red Vests conducted a coordination visit with MSWDO San Andres, Catanduanes to get necessary information on the boat accident in Caramoan, Camarines Sur involving three fishermen from their town.
On January 22, CIS social workers conducted home visits and provided psychological first aid to help family members cope with the grief and emotional distress brought about by the devastating incident.
Under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program, a total of Php40,000 in financial assistance was extended to the two bereaved families. This included Php10,000 in funeral assistance for each family to help cover burial expenses.
Each family also received an additional Php10,000 in financial aid to support their basic needs and daily subsistence, helping ease the financial burden following the loss of their loved ones, who were also the primary breadwinners of their households.
Meanwhile, financial assistance is also being arranged for the family of the lone survivor to help augment their basic needs, as the fisherman continues to recover from the incident.
Similarly, on January 22, 2026, the CIS in Daet, Camarines Norte extended financial assistance to two fishermen who survived a separate boat accident. Their fishing vessel was severely damaged by strong waves and capsized in the waters of Mercedes town on January 9, resulting in the total loss of their livelihood.
In response, DSWD Field Office V, through its AICS Program, provided Php5,000 in financial assistance to each survivor to help cover their basic needs and daily subsistence. Psychological first aid was likewise provided to help them recover from the emotional distress caused by the incident.
In line with the directives of Secretary Rex Gatchalian and the instructions of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the DSWD Bicol Region remains committed to ensuring the timely and compassionate delivery of assistance to individuals and families facing hardships due to emergencies and crisis situations.