The educational assistance of the City Government for the children of the victims of the 2003 Sasa Wharf bombing has not been stopped and is continuing, according to City Social Services Development Office head Maria Luisa Bermudo.
Bermudo said that 14 years after the incident that killed 15 civilians and injured 46 others, the city has sponsored over 500 scholars in the different colleges and universities in the city.
Bermudo said that for so long as the student shows willingness to study, the city will continue to provide educational assistance.
This is for so long as the student does not stop or change course or school without even informing the CSSDO.
“The beneficiaries of our educational assistance can choose their own school whether it’s a public or a private school, they can even choose their own course we won’t impose them any course that they do not want,” she said.
“They just need to follow the rules set by the city government like the when they change course they should immediately inform us, the family should continue monitoring their children and they should not stop their studies,” Bermudo added.
Over the years, the city has spend around P5,000,000 for the educational assistance of the victims of the bombing in Sasa Wharf alone whether they are severely or moderately injured.
On Sunday, the families and victims of the Sasa Wharf bombing gathered at the blast site to commemorate the 14th year of the incident that claimed the life of 15 civilians and injured 46 others.
Joel Torrevillas, 30, a resident of Tibungco this city was just 17 years old at that time, he was a porter at that time when the explosion occurred.
“I was having a snack at one food stall at that time,” Torrevillas said in vernacular. “A kid was playing behind me, and then I heard an explosion, I woke up a month after because of complications.”
Torrevillas was just a few meters away from the bomb when the explosion took place; he was saved by the kid behind him who died during the incident.
On 2014, he underwent another surgery because a splinter was left in his lungs. He can barely use his right arm after the incident.
On 2015, joint operatives of Police Regional Office 12, Military Intelligence Group 12, Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Central Mindanao apprehended the suspect of the bombing, Abdul Manap Mentang.
Mentang was allegedly the man behind the Sasa Wharf blast and the 2005 Valentine’s Day bombing at the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal.
