Misfortune at aid payout queue: Elderly farmer in Amulung, Cagayan dies before receiving assistance

Amulung, Cagayan – An elderly farmer from Amulung, Cagayan, died before he could receive government cash assistance intended for farmers affected by drought in the province.

The victim was identified by police as 65-year-old Wilson Corpuz, a resident of Barangay Anquiray, Amulung.

According to police reports obtained by national and local media outlets, Corpuz was among more than 31,000 beneficiaries who lined up at the Capitol Gymnasium on May 22 for the distribution of P10,125 assistance under the Emergency Cash Transfer program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Witnesses said Corpuz was waiting for the release of his financial aid when he suddenly collapsed and lost consciousness.

He was immediately rushed to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician due to cardiac arrest.

Following the incident, the regional DSWD office assured the public that the agency would continue extending support to the victim’s family even though Corpuz was unable to personally receive the assistance.

Regional Director Lucia Allan, according to local media reports, said the DSWD would also help shoulder other needs of the family, including burial assistance.

Public reactions

Following reports of the incident, many netizens expressed sympathy for the bereaved family while raising concerns over the condition of elderly beneficiaries during mass payout activities.

“Sobrang init tapos matatanda pa ang naghihintay. Kawawa ang mga farmers natin,” one commenter wrote, pointing out the hardship faced by beneficiaries who had to wait for long hours during the payout.

Another netizen said, “Hindi na niya natanggap ang ayuda na para sana sa hirap nila sa tagtuyot.”

Others questioned why thousands of beneficiaries had to gather in one location for the payout distribution and urged authorities to implement safer and more organized methods to prevent similar incidents.

“Bakit kailangan pang pumunta sa capitol lahat? Pwede namang per municipality ang distribution,” another commenter suggested.