Tabaco City, Albay – On January 15, 2025, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office V – Bicol Region extended financial assistance and essential aid to the families of four fishermen who went missing on January 6, 2025.

Each family received PHP 10,000 under the Department’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program. Additionally, the families were assessed for potential support through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) to help address their long-term livelihood needs after the loss of their breadwinners.

To meet their immediate needs, the DSWD distributed two boxes of family food packs to each family. These packs contained six kilograms of rice, canned goods, coffee, and cereal drinks.

Prior to this aid distribution, on January 13, 2025, DSWD Bicol’s Crisis Intervention Section (CIS) conducted psychosocial intervention sessions for the affected families. These sessions, facilitated by the agency’s “Angels in Red Vests,” aimed to help the families cope with the traumatic incident.

The relief efforts were carried out in collaboration with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), which also provided financial and other forms of assistance to the bereaved families.

Meanwhile, DSWD Bicol is coordinating with the local government unit of Pandan, Catanduanes, to extend support to the families of five additional fishermen who remain missing.

The Department has also coordinated with other government agencies to ensure the affected families receive the necessary support.

Under the leadership of Regional Director Norman S. Lurio, DSWD Field Office V remains committed to promptly and effectively delivering assistance to individuals and families in crisis.###