The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD FO CAR) has extended assistance to the victims of two separate vehicular accidents which transpired in Kabayan and Tuba, Benguet on 28 May and 30 May 2026, respectively.
The first mishap involved a truck which carried 39 individuals who are residents of Bauko, Mountain Province who were on their way to Nueva Vizcaya. The separate incident involved two (2) public utility buses (PUB) and one (1) private vehicle. The incident involved 93 individuals who were passengers of the PUB which are travelling along Marcos Highway, Sitio Caucalan, Taloy Sur, Tuba, Benguet. Six (6) fatalities were recorded in the separate incidents, five of which are those from Mountain Province. Other affected individuals were provided with necessary interventions.
“We have already provided assistance to the families of the fatalities but we continue to coordinate with the Municipal Local Government Units of Kabayan and Tuba to ensure that we are able to provide assistance to the affected individuals.” DSWD FO CAR OIC Regional Director Enrique H. Gascon, Jr. said.
As of 31 May 2026, DSWD FO CAR was able to provide a total of PhP 50,000.00 worth of financial assistance to the fatalities from Mountain Province while a total of PhP 55,000.00 was provided to 11 affected individuals from the Tuba mishap. Aside from this, the DSWD personnel conducted psychological support intervention to the involved individuals. They underwent psychosocial processing which aims to help the affected address psychological distress after experiencing incidents which may have caused severe trauma.
“Our personnel have conducted initial assessment and validation with the affected individuals and their families. Through these, we are looking into possible livelihood assistance to the family of the fatalities from Mountain Province. However, our social workers will still have to schedule home visitation to the family of the lone fatality in the Tuba incident to identify possible provision of appropriate assistance” Director Gascon added.
The DSWD FO CAR provided interventions in partnership with the Local Government Units through their Local Social Welfare and Development Office. The assistance was given under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program which is one of the Department’s Protective Services. AICS aims to provide immediate assistance to individuals who are in crisis to meet their needs. The support may take the form of medical, financial, burial, educational, transportation, material, food, or cash relief assistance. Aside from this, the Program also provides psychosocial support through psychosocial processing, psychological first aid or through its Wireless Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (WiSupport) which is DSWD’s initiative to provide a response in addressing mental health and psychosocial concerns through wireless and online platforms. To avail of psychosocial services, interested individuals may e-mail us at wisupport.focar@dswd.gov.ph, call at 09485057745, or visit us at 1st Floor, SN Oriental Traders Building, Leonard Wood Rd, Baguio City from Monday to Friday, 8AM to 5PM. #DSWD-CAR, Social Marketing Unit, Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva-Trinidad, Information Officer II
