The Department of the Interior and Local Government under the Killed in Action/Wounded in Action (KIA/WIA) and Killed in Police Operations/Wounded in Police Operations (KIPO/WIPO) program conducted a video documentation last May 15-19, 2018 in the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Sur on the families left behind by soldiers who were killed in action.

The documentation team was led by Ms. Jocelyn Cabaña the KIA/WIA-KIPO/WIPO DILG Project Manager and her team Ms. Melody Fundano, Ariane Mae Magtalas, Danica Eimy Orilla, and Lito Espelimbergo.

The documentation team was able to interview five beneficiaries:

1.      Francis Shawy Dela Cruz wife of late Cpl. Christopher Dela Cruz (Ipil, ZSP)

2.      Norma Ampalo mother of Pfc. Arhanie O. Ampalo (Buug, ZDS)

3.      Marilyn Gumampong wife of late Sgt. Johnny Gumampong (Buug, ZDS)

4.      Cherry Joy Asan wife of late Cpl. Ricky Asan (Buug, ZDS)

5.      May Amor Sawit wife of late Sgt. Jasyon Sawit (Pagadian City, ZDS)

Based on the video interview and documentation most of the beneficiaries have already established a small business venture that would be able to sustain their family.

Marilyn Gumampong and Cherry Joy Asan have both started a sari-sari store in their own homes in Buug and were able to build boarding houses open for college students and young professionals to rent. Norma Ampalo has also started a Sari-Sari Store in Buug Public Market where she earns enough to sustain her family.

Francis Shawy Dela Cruz has also established a small business of perfume and other beauty products while May Amor Sawit in Pagadian City also constructed a boarding house unit open for young professionals and produced bottled spicy bagoong products which she sells in nearby towns and provinces.

DILG is the lead agency implementing the Comprehensive Social Benefits Program (CBSP) which covers four levels of assistance. A Special Finance Assistance (SFA) will be granted in two tranches to the beneficiaries of KIA/KIPO in the amount of PHP500,000; to WIA/WIPO with total permanent physical disability (TPPD) in the amount of PHP250,000; and to WIA/WIPO with major and minor injuries in the amount of PHP100,000.

Photos By: Lito Espelimbergo.