Mother dies in queue for cash aid
A tragic incident unfolded in Cebu as a mother reportedly died while waiting in line to receive cash assistance, highlighting the severe challenges faced by those seeking government aid.
A 31-year-old mother of four, Mary Christ Cuizon, died after collapsing while waiting in line for validation of P5,000 cash assistance for Typhoon Tino survivors on March 11, 2026, at the public gymnasium in Barangay Opao, Mandaue City, Cebu. The victim, a resident of Zone Talong, Barangay Paknaan, was the family's sole recognized beneficiary and attended the revalidation process despite having given birth to her youngest child just six months prior. The aid program targeted residents affected by Typhoon Tino, which struck Cebu on November 4, 2025, with families receiving P5,000 for partially damaged homes and P10,000 for total destruction, with payouts scheduled for March 23.
According to her father, Jennifer Cuizon, there was a 30-minute delay in assistance, with bystanders initially mistaking her condition for epilepsy and failing to provide immediate help. By the time CPR was performed and she was taken to Mandaue City Hospital, she was declared dead on arrival, with her skin and nails turning purple. The father has demanded CCTV footage from the gym to clarify the events surrounding his daughter's death.
The validation process was conducted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in collaboration with Mandaue City's Social Welfare Office. DSWD stated that it had coordinated with local government units to ensure orderly processes, including priority lanes for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, and frail individuals, and had deployed response teams to assist beneficiaries.
Following the incident, DSWD and city personnel visited the victim's family on March 13, providing a sack of rice, two boxes of canned goods, and psychological support. Mandaue City Administrator Atty. Gonz Malig-on Jr. requested an incident report and plans to issue an official statement regarding the tragedy. No official cause of death has been released as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the mother's death while waiting for government assistance.
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