BY RHENJIE MARIE CALANTAS
ILOILO – Survivors of the lightning strike that hit a family in Sitio Guiraguid, Barangay Libertad, Banate town will undergo psychosocial counseling.
Mayor Peter Paul Gonzales said the local government took the initiative after he talked to one of the survivors.
“Nakita gid to namon ang situation, pamigado gid ang pangabuhian nila. Nag-initiate kami upod sang aton Risk Reduction and Management officer nga ang mga survivors ma-schedule sa psychosocial counseling kay nakita ko gid nga daw indi mo maistorya ang isa ka bata nga bahi, daw nataranta, na-trauma,” said Gonzales.
The town is also preparing financial and burial assistance through the Assistance to Individuals and Crisis Situations program of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.
The Monday afternoon lightning strike killed three.
Declared “dead upon arrival” at the hospital were Mila Soberano, 38; Rosalie Soberano, 48; and Britney Labos, 14, who was around three months pregnant, according to her live-in partner.
Meanwhile, injured were Felomino Sadiangibon, 77; Janelyn Igona, 38; Carlo Soberano, 11; Jumar Soberano, 42; Larry Soberano, 30; Sharime Soberano, 20; IJ Siberano, 20; Aime Soberano, 14; and Ivan Soberano, 44. They were treated at the Barotac Viejo District Hospital.
All are residents of Barangay Libertad, Banate.
Police Lieutenant Dandy Ilalto, chief of the Banate Municipal Police Station, said the victims were farming charcoal when the rain poured and they took shelter in a nipa hut.
A dog owned by one of the victims also died./PN
