Families of 4 Yolanda heroes to each get P100k

MANILA, Philippines – At the height of Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan), they risked their lives to fulfill their duties.

The Civil Service Commission will honor 3 fire officers and a PAGASA weather observer who were among Yolanda’s casualties in Leyte.

During the deadly typhoon last Nov 8, 2013, fire officers Melquiades Baguio, Rolando Cinco and Felix Miranda from the Tanuan Fire Station were killed when a storm surge swept away the fire truck they were riding while on their second rescue mission. (READ: [DASH OF SAS]: Never forget the memory of first responders)

PAGASA’s Salvacion Avestruz, meanwhile, stayed behind at the Tacloban City Weather Station that day to protect her weather instrument, as well as to continue the monitoring and transmission of weather data. Her body has yet to be recovered, the CSC said.

On Monday, April 14, their families will each receive P100,000 each from CSC’s Pamanang Lingkod Bayani (PLBi) program which provides “financial assistance to families of state workers who died in the line of duty.”

“The PLBi program is a tribute to the kawani who displayed the characters of bayani in the name of public service,” CSC Chairman Francisco Duque III said in a statement Saturday, April 12. 

The program also includes awarding of a plaque from the CSC, as well as educational assistance (discount on tuition and school fees) for 3 immediate family members. 

4 other state workers will also be recognized, and their families assisted financially.

“…More than just recognizing the many heroic and inspiring men and women in government who personify the spirit of public service, the Commission also sees the need to acknowledge those civilian public servants who risked their lives, died while in the pursuit of their respective functions, or were killed in the line of duty,” Duque said.

Six families have so far received financial assistance from the CSC since the program was first implemented in 2009.

Meet other #HeroesofHaiyan here on Rappler. (READ: #HeroesofHaiyan: Honoring bravery and selflesness) – Rappler.com