Palace to release P1.5-M for Pampanga crash victims

MABALACAT, Pampanga — President Arroyo braved the heat of the noonday sun and thick dust when she met here yesterday with the families of residents injured when an F-5 jet of the Philippine Air Force crashed into an elementary school last Thursday.

The President said she would release P1.5 million to provide extra livelihood for families whose homes were damaged by the crash.

Filipino and American military officials welcomed the President who inspected the compound of the Mabalacat Central Elementary School where the PAF aircraft crashed.

A tall white cross was erected there in honor of the F-5’s pilot, Capt. Daniel Policarpio.

Eighteen residents of Barangays Poblacion, San Joaquin and Mama Titang were injured during the crash which burned four buildings of the elementary school.

Before leaving, the President told Pampanga Gov. Lito Lapid and Mabalacat Mayor Marino Morales that she would release P1.5 million for rolling stores in the three barangays and projects for out-of-school youths.

Col. Charles Hotchkiss, deputy commander of the 600th Air Force Wing, said the wreckage of the ill-fated aircraft has been brought to the PAF headquarters at Clark Field for investigation.

The US military have been conducting a medical-dental mission in the affected barangays since last Friday. - Ding Cervantes