5 LPG tank blast victims buried
THE five victims of the LPG tank blast in Bangkal, Davao City last April 11 were buried yesterday.
Davao City Social Services and Development Office Disaster Focal Maria Luz Farañal in an interview yesterday morning said burial was set yesterday afternoon in Toril, Davao City.
The victims, who belonged to a single family, were identified as Cristie Ormellio, 9, her sister Crystal Fuertes, 8, Cristito Fuertes Jr., 5, Crisha Mae Fuertes, 4, and Cristito Fuertes Sr., 49 years old.
They are five out of the ten victims who suffered from third degree burns in different part of their bodies while six others sustained first and second degree burns after the blast, which took place at Petronas Gas Shop along McArthur Highway at Km.7 in Bangkal.
According to Farañal, the mother of the four children and the common law wife of Cristito Sr., April Joy Ormellio is now in a stable condition but still recuperating at the Southern Philippines medical center.
Farañal said the CSSDO extended help to the family during the Holy Week.
“We really paid a lot of attention to them last Holy Week, which is also why we want to attend the burial,” she said.
Two deaths were recorded on April 12, while the remaining deaths were recorded last April 14 and 17.
Aside from the five, a 5-month-old fetus named Christine Joy Fuentes also did not survive.
Farañal said the owner of the LPG station shouldered the medical expenses of the victims. The victims also receive free medication from Philhealth and Lingap Para sa Mahirap.
She said aside from April Joy, three other victims are still at the hospital right now, two are the mother’s siblings and the other is the cousin. They are set to be discharged soon.