Senior citizen dies while waiting for SAP grant

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A senior citizen collapsed and died while he was waiting for his turn to receive his financial aid from the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP) at Barangay Tangub here on Friday.

Police identified the fatality as Gualberto Hurtado Sr., 84.

A report from the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said that Hurtado was sitting on a chair inside the barangay’s gymnasium when he suddenly fainted.

He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead due to cardiac arrest.

Hurtado was among the identified SAP beneficiaries who were supposed to receive the P6,000 cash aid from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Village chief Noli Villarosa said that Hurtado and other beneficiaries arrived at the venue early in the morning and waited to get their cash aid amid the hot and humid day.

The elderly man was among those allowed to go out of their residences because he had a SAP form.

The victim had no history of travel based on the statement of his family as reflected in police reports.

Villarosa said that they will extend assistance to Hurtado’s family.