Cebu woman faints while in line for cash aid; dies later that day
A 31-year-old woman has died after collapsing while in line for the verification process of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's Emergency Cash Transfer payout in Mandaue City, Cebu.
According to the official statement of DSWD, Mary Christ Cuizon was at the Barangay Opao gym on March 11, waiting in line for government personnel to validate beneficiaries of cash aid amounting to P5,000. The cash assistance was earmarked for survivors of Typhoon Tino, which hit Cebu late last year.
A report by GMA News said Cuizon was a mother of four, with the youngest just six months old.
In the same report, Cuizon's father was said to have demanded to see the gym's CCTV footage during the event to see if negligence contributed to his daughter's death. According to him, he received information that about 30 minutes passed before his daughter received help. She had reportedly already passed away by the time a team arrived to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation and take her to the hospital.
Following the tragedy, the Office of the Mandaue City Administrator requested an incident report. It has yet to issue an official statement.
DSWD said it would give the family immediate support, including food assistance worth P10,000, as well as psychosocial support through its WiSupport program.
In addition, The Freeman reported the provision of a P30,000 cash assistance to the family from the Mandaue City Social Welfare and Development Office, and P5,250 in ECT assistance for Cuizon's sister.
Once the death certificate is available, DSWD has committed to giving the family burial assistance, as well.
According to The Freeman, DSWD said in its statement that it had close coordination with local government units to make sure the verification and payout processes were "systematic and orderly."
Among the measures it implemented, said the agency, were dedicated lanes for senior citizens and pregnant women, and the deployment of an LGU response team to ensure the event's smooth flow. There were also consistent reminders for LGU partners to exempt from long queues individuals who were frail, sick, elderly, and who had young children with them.
