|
A
LAWMAKER is urging the House of Representatives to grant
lifetime financial assistance to the families of those
killed in the November 13 blast at the Batasan Pambansa
that also injured several others.
PDP-Laban Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr. of Makati filed House
Resolution 339 seeking to grant financial assistance to
congressional staff members, House secretariat staff
members and employees of offices of individual members
of the House who suffered life-threatening and disabling
injuries as well as to the families of the staff members
and employees who were killed in the South Wing
explosion in the House.
Locsin
particularly cited congressional staff members Vercita
Garcia and Dennies Manila; House secretariat staff
members Allan Mangulabnan, Rodlfo Relente and Frederick
Castillo; and employees Israel Lim, Marina Cruz, Kinhar
Indaman, Parick Gerald Rosete and Paulo Dungca, who
suffered serious injuries that resulted in various forms
of lifetime or permanent disabilities; and Maan Gale
Bustalino, Marcial Taldo and Hayduni Jurasiri, who were
killed in the blast.
“In
addition to the oppressive financial burdens that
necessary medical, therapeutic, rehabilitative and other
assistance require and in the case of the deceased,
funeral and related services entail, these staff
members, employees and their families must suffer the
daily and lifetime emotional, psychological, physical
and financial travails of having lost the optimum
economic and financial benefits that they hoped to
continue to derive from the fullest harnessing of the
capabilities of these staff members and employees to
earn a living and to access opportunities for improving
the quality of their lives,” said Locsin in his
resolution.
Thus,
Locsin said that in line with the commitment of the
members of the House to the welfare of all legislative
workers and service providers, there is a need to
provide the victims as well as their families with
concrete forms of assistance that can minimize their
financial burdens and help secure their lifetime
well-being.
Locsin
said that in the case of those killed, their immediate
families must be given lifetime financial assistance of
such amount equivalent to at least the gross monthly
salary and other compensation of the victims, payable
monthly to them or their duly authorized representatives
beginning this month.
Locsin
urged that the Speaker create a committee to be headed
by the chairman of the Committee on Accounts and
composed of at least three other members of the House
and three secretariat officials to formulate the rules
and procedures for the implementation of the grant of
lifetime financial assistance.
Once
implemented, Locsin said the initial funds needed for
the implementation of the financial grant will be
allocated from the 2007 budget of the House.
“And
such needed appropriations for the purpose shall be
included in the annual budget of the House every year
thereafter,” Locsin said.
Meanwhile, US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie
Kenney has congratulated local authorities for the quick
action leading to the arrest of the suspects behind the
Batasan Pambansa bomb attack.
Kenney
said the Armed Forces and National Police are doing a
great job, especially in the fight against terror.
“It is a
tough fight, though; you now have enemies who are clever
and who are willing to go to extreme lengths to disrupt
peace and security. It is the military and police
personnel who are putting their lives on the line every
single day, and I congratulate them,” Kenney said.
Kenney
said she is grateful that there are people in this
country like the soldiers and police who are willing to
risk their lives for the safety of the public.
The US
ambassador described the incident at the Batasan
Pambansa tragic “since it is a public place where people
should feel free to visit.” (With B. Garcia Jr.) |
