Davao City remembers 2003 airport blast victims

DAVAO CITY – After 14 years, 61-year-old Arline Rasay still remembers losing her 19-year-old son Kenneth as if it was just yesterday.

Kenneth perished, along with 21 others, when an explosion ripped through the waiting shed at the arrival area of the Davao Airport on March 4 14 years ago.

Not only was it the day she lost her son. It was also her birthday.

The local government still takes care of the 23 dependents of those killed or hurt by the two bombings happened a month apart from each other in the early months of 2003, the City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) said.

Another bombing incident occurred on April 2 at the Sasa Wharf that killed 16 and wounded 45.

In an interview, CSSDO head Ma. Luisa Bermudo said that the local government has faithfully taken care of the victims of the two deadly blasts.

Bermudo made the statement during simple annual commemoration rites held at the ground zero of the incident at the old airport in Barangay Sasa last Saturday.

Both incidents victimized well-wishers and fetchers of passengers at the transportation hubs.

Representatives from the local government lit candles and offered flowers at the blast site in front of the old airport.

The event is commemorated annually, with preparations already being made for next month’s memorial at the Sasa Wharf.

The local government continues to assist victims of catastrophic events, such as bombings, through the CSSDO, in partnership with existing scholarship programs such as the Educational Benefit Systems Unit/Scholars on Tertiary Education Program (EBSU/STEP).

Bermudo said that there have been patients and beneficiaries, who returned the help given them by working for the local government.

“We have former scholars now working in my department,” she said, while there are others working in other City Hall departments.

Meanwhile, Rasay said she has moved on, but she will never forget her son.

The local government assisted in terms of burial assistance for the burial of the Ateneo Mass Communication student.

Rasay said Kenneth had wanted to be a television reporter before his life was snuffed out by that deadly blast 14 years ago.