Magpale extends cash aid to Ducayag family

CEBU, Philippines - Acting Governor Agnes Magpale said the Provincial Social Welfare and Development office (PSWD) will provide financial assistance to the family of Mario Alfie Ducayag who died from blows allegedly delivered by a security guard at a mall.

The family will receive an initial amount of P5,000 and a sack of rice as soon as possible, PSWD officer-in-charge Evelyn Senajon said.

Magpale said she is extending the assistance because of pity for Ducayag’s children, adding that it was the children that immediately came to mind when news of Ducayag’s death broke out.

“Parehong nanginahanglan og gatas [ang duha ka bata] (The children both need milk),” she said, referring to Ducayag’s children, Athena and Nash, who wore shirts bearing the slogan “Justice for Papa” during their visit to Magpale’s office yesterday.

She said that during her interview with the family, she found out that Ducayag’s mother, Fe Soledad, is the only breadwinner in the family.

For her part, Marie Shantylle Ducayag, the victim’s sister, expressed gratitude to Magpale for her help.

“Malipayon jud mi nga naka-anhi sa office ni Governor Magpale, kay ni-extend siya ug support, most especially sa mga anak sa akuang brother (We are happy that acting governor Magpale has extended her support, most especially to my late brother’s children),” she said.

Ducayag’s sister said her brother’s children were too young to be left behind by their father, who worked because he wanted to see his children go to school.

“Ever since nigawas [ang balita] sa ilang amahan, daghan na gyud ang tabang nga nadawat nila. (Ever since news of their father spread, they have received a lot of help),” she said.

Mario Alfie Ducayag, a 23-year-old housekeeping student, was allegedly beaten to death by in-house security personnel of Metro Gaisano Colon after they suspected him of shoplifting last April 12. (FREEMAN)