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Skyway accident victims received P20-M cash aid — San Miguel


San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has extended a cash assistance to the tune of P20 million to the victims of the accident at a portion of the Skyway Extension project site in Cupang, Muntinlupa.

In a statement, SMC said the total amount was given to the lone fatality and eight injured individuals in the accident on November 21.

The amount is on top of the medical and other expenses shouldered by its Skyway project contractor EEI Corp., according to SMC.

"I’ve been deeply affected by the pain this has caused them and have been assessing different ways to assist the victims of this unfortunate accident, apart from what our contractor EEI has been providing them. I hope this amount would be a step towards helping them rebuild their lives. With the right support, we can all overcome adversity and lead full lives," SMC president and COO Ramon Ang said.

SMC is the concession holder of Metro Manila Skyway through its San Miguel Infrastructure. It is the proponent of the Skyway Extension project.

Even as EEI Corp., the project contractor, is the one handling the project’s construction, Ang issued a public apology and promised to provide for the needs of the victims following the mishap—which involved an EEI subcontractor’s crane losing balance and hitting a steel girder, causing it to fall on vehicles.

Ang said that a significant portion of the package will go towards long-term support for the family of the deceased, Edison Paquibot.

Ang had committed to take care of all of the family’s needs, including shouldering the education of Paquibot’s four-year old daughter.

“Following the accident, I was able to speak directly to the wife. It’s very painful to suddenly lose a loved one. I promised her that I would take care of them, especially their child’s education, until she graduates from college. It will be as if they still have family supporting them,” Ang said.

Apart from the financial assistance for their monthly needs and providing for the education of the child, the SMC chef also said the company would be providing the wife with livelihood support.

The victims received their cash assistance recently and are thankful for the early Christmas gift, according to SMC.

“We provided for more than the needs of those that were injured. The assistance covered continuing check-ups or therapy, replacement or repair of vehicles, recovering lost income, and more. While it’s very fortunate that most only had minor injuries, we will still give them more, to make sure they will have everything they need to resume their lives and livelihoods,” Ang said. — Ted Cordero/RSJ, GMA News

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