DSWD-6 gives burial aid to Barbasa family

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Region 6 has extended financial assistance to the family of nursing student Frank Rois Barbasa.

It was not immediately clear when the assistance was given, but photographs showed DSWD-6 Regional Director Joselito Estember personally visiting the wake and handing over the check.

Therese Fely Legaste, DSWD-6 regional information officer, said the amount represented burial assistance under the agency’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

The AICS program provides support to individuals and families in crisis, including burial, medical, transportation, education, food, and other financial assistance.

When asked if the family requested the assistance, Legaste answered in the affirmative.

Asked why Estember personally handed over the check, Legaste said he was instructed by the DSWD Central Office to personally monitor whether the family was provided assistance.

“Kag para maka-unong man sa ila kalisod,” she said, adding that the agency is helping all those who go to the office for AICS aid.

Legaste clarified that there were instances when Estember personally handed over guarantee letters and cash assistance to beneficiaries.

“It’s just that the said case was highlighted because of the circumstances surrounding his death,” she said.

Legaste has yet to confirm the amount of assistance given to the family.

Recently, the National Bureau of Investigation-Region 6 began a parallel probe into Barbasa’s death following a request from the family for a deeper investigation.

Earlier, the family took custody of the charred body found inside Green Meadows Subdivision in Barangay Ungka 1, Pavia, Iloilo.

The first autopsy was conducted May 2. Two days later, another autopsy was conducted.

A certain Allan, 48, of Zone 6, Barangay Ungka 1, Pavia, earlier told police investigators that his brother saw what appeared to be a grass fire near the concrete wall of Green Meadows Subdivision around 4:30 a.m. on April 29.

He scaled the wall to douse the fire with water. It was only then that Allan’s brother saw that the object burning was a human body.

During the investigation, police found a wallet, a power bank, and a mobile phone on the other side of the fence.

The wallet contained a student driver’s license and a vaccination card bearing the name Frank Rois Barbasa.

A further police probe showed that the 22-year-old Barbasa was also missing.

Barbasa, a graduating nursing student of the University of San Agustin, was from Barangay Punta Tabuc, Roxas City, Capiz, and was temporarily staying at his aunt’s house in Barangay Caingin, La Paz, Iloilo City.