OFF-THE-AIR

GOVERNOR Victor Agbayani urged Wednesday the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office in coordination with the municipal social welfare offices of the affected coastal towns to complete the socio/economic documentation of the families of survivors, casualties and the missing.

The documentation is needed by the provincial government to determine appropriate relief and livelihood assistance to the victims of the sea disaster and their families.

Task Force Infanta headed by Lt. Colonel Gregory Cayetano of the Philippine Army, which spearhead the relief and rescue operations for the affected fishermen, has already terminated its work last December 27 after the safe return and recovery of 202 persons.

Some 55 more of the original missing fishermen are unaccounted for.

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Two more persons drowned in separate areas of the Lingayen Gulf recently, joining the increasing number of swimmers who lost their lives there since December last year.

The latest drowning incidents occurred at the Jimenez beach in barangay Patar, Bolinao on Wednesday where the victim was identified in the police report as Cheffrey Partho, 26, of Imus, Cavite.

The other drowning victim was Tealby Pascual, 14, of barangay Matalava, Lingayen, who was carried by strong current while swimming along the Lingayen Beach last December 30.

The other drowning incidents occurred earlier in the beaches of Dagupan, Binmaley and San Fabian, all in the Lingayen Gulf.

Read full story in the Philippines News Agency website