The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has distributed more than PHP 700,000 in cash aid and food and non-food items to victims of a fire that broke out on a ferry while sailing in Basilan on March 29.
This was according to the report submitted by Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. to the President on Saturday.
Galvez stated that the victims of the ferry fire had received assistance from the national and local governments to date.
He stated that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the provincial government of Basilan distributed PHP640,000 in financial assistance as well as more than PHP71,000 in food and non-food items.
Local and provincial governments in Basilan and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao distributed hygiene kits and clothing, while the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) provided meals.
DSWD also provided psychosocial support to survivors at its Home for Women in Mampang, Zamboanga City.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Red Cross administered first-aid treatments to survivors and provided cadaver bags, according to Galvez.
The bodies were taken to Zamboanga City's Villa Arcega Funeral Homes.
Galvez stated that as of April 1, authorities on the ground had identified 28 dead, 32 missing, and 227 survivors.
He added that two Philippine Navy Multi-purpose Assault Crafts that served as the incident's first responders are still in the area conducting search, rescue, and retrieval operations.
Around 11:30 p.m., the ill-fated M/V Lady Mary Joy 3 caught fire while sailing from Zamboanga City to Jolo, Sulu on Wednesday, we passed near Baluk-Baluk Island, Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan.
