MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) extended P410,726 in humanitarian aid to survivors and families affected by the MV June Aster fire.
The ferry was traveling to Coron, Palawan with 134 people aboard when it caught fire off the town's coast on Sept. 9, 2026.
"When we learned of this news, the DSWD immediately coordinated with the local government unit to determine the needed assistance. If we recall, Secretary Rex Gatchalian earlier ordered initial assistance such as psychosocial aid with the Field Office Mimaropa," Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, the DSWD spokesman, said in Filipino and English on Monday.
Over 40 people have been rescued.
"The search, rescue, and retrieval operations in the area are ongoing while the Management of the Dead and Missing Cluster is validating and consolidating the exact number of the missing and dead. You can rest assured that the DSWD is on standby and ready to give help to all those affected and their families," Dumlao said.
The DSWD said its Mimaropa field office's Crisis Intervention Section would give immediate burial aid to relatives of the deceased individuals once the identities of the dead are confirmed.
