Man dies of heart attack while queuing for cash aid; wife pleads to Duterte for help

A 53-year-old carpenter passed away after suffering a heart attack while in line to claim his cash subsidy in Taytay, Rizal.

According to a 24 Oras report by Emil Sumangil on Monday, Teodoro Omandam died of myocardial infarction due to the heat while queuing for cash aid for the third time.

“Nabagsak siya tapos tinulungan siya ng katabi niya mismo na nakaupo doon tapos binangon siya, pinaupo ulit siya. Ni-revive siya, hinilot hilot siya muna,” witness Lorna Bayhon said.

“Tapos medyo um-okay siya, tapos maya maya inatake ulit siya… Nanginginig ulit siya, kaya dinala na siya doon ng ambulansya,” she added.

Omandam’s wife Estrella Lilia appealed for help from President Rodrigo Duterte following the death of her husband.

“Napakasakit po talaga,” she said. “Ang hirap po talaga ng buhay ng ganito, na lockdown. Walang hanapbuhay, ilang buwan na, tapos wala pa po kaming natatanggap na ayuda.”

Myrna, the victim’s niece, also called on authorities to give Omandam’s cash aid to his family.

“Namatay na ‘yung tiyuhin ko. ‘Wag na nilang i-evaluate nang i-evaluate pa. Baka puwede naman pong ibigay na lang po nila ‘yung para do’n sa tiyuhin ko kasi namatay na po ‘yan e,” she urged.

However, Taytay Mayor Joric Gacula said Omandam’s name was not on the list of beneficiaries.

Still, the municipal government vowed to help with the burial expenses.

“Kailangan pa namin ng ilang araw na palugit. Kahit mga apat na araw pa para maipamigay lahat. Medyo magulo rin e, pagod na rin ang DSWD, they’ve been working 48 hours shifting at ‘yung mga barangay ay wala na rin mga resources,” Gacula said.

Another 70-year-old woman was also rushed to the hospital after suffering a heart attack on Monday, also while queuing for aid. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News