Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo today said that the department has taken action to assist the families of the children who were injured and those who were killed in an explosion in Sta. Maria, Bulacan yesterday.

“Our Field Office (FO) in Region III has already taken immediate action to provide help within our capabilities and to comfort the families of the injured and those killed. This is a very difficult situation because among those killed are children,” she said.

Sec. Taguiwalo said that FO III staff went to the site to conduct validation and assess the situation to determine the assistance to be given to the affected.

Based on reports from the local government unit and the PNP, the explosion took place at the AA Firecracker Manufacturing in Sitio Banca-Banca, Brgy. Pulong Buhangin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan at 9:15 am.

Killed were Ashley Mayo (2 years old),  Brylee Mayo (5), and Mary Grace Mayo (28). Five others were injured: Ryan Magnai (31),  Raymund Montante, Jay-Ar Mejares, Nelson Duque, and Johnny Hompak (29).

Houses were also damaged, and these are owned respectively by Simplicia del Rosario,  Teodora Hermogenes del Rosario,  Clemente Herman, and Ryan Policarpio.

” All of the victims were rushed to the Graciano Mercado General Hospital by the rescue team.  Our staff were able to interview  Milagros Seda, aunt of Benjie Mayo, the father of the children killed and husband of  Mary Grace who was also killed.

Mayo is understandably devastated by what happened, so the DSWD provided initial counselling and has informed the rest of the family that the DSWD will provide assistance for the burial of their loved ones. We will help them secure the requirements so they use what DSWD can extend during difficult situations such as this,”  Sec. Taguiwalo said.

“It is to be hoped that accidents such as this will not be repeated. It is a great tragedy to lose your wife and children in a senseless event such as a firecracker factory explosion. We hope that local authorities in Bulacan would address this issue and determine the safety and soundness of allowing factories of potentially dangerous materials to operate in residential communities. The operations of the firecracker factories must also be cleared for absolute safety because they have workers whose very lives are put on the line if and when accidents take place, ” she said. #