MEDIA WELFARE PROGRAM. Department of Social Welfare and Development Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez (right) enumerates the various assistance provided by the DSWD under its Media Welfare Program to the family of slain broadcaster Juan Jumalon during a media forum at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City on Thursday (Nov. 9, 2023). With Lopez is DSWD Undersecretary Edu Punay who gave updates on the Food Stamp Program, Tara Basa! Tutoring Program, and the Oplan Pag-abot of the DSWD. (PNA photo by Ben Briones)

MANILA – The family of a radio anchor who was shot dead while live-streaming his program at his home in Misamis Occidental has received initial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez said on Thursday.

“Our social worker immediately went to the family of Mr. Juan Jumalon to extend our condolences, at nakapag-paabot na po tayo ng inisyal na tulong sa kanyang pamilya (and we have already provided initial assistance to his family),” Lopez, also DSWD spokesperson, said during the weekly media forum at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City.

According to the DSWD, Mary Jesary Baroro, a social worker of DSWD-Field Office 10 (Northern Mindanao), handed over to the Jumalon family in Calamba town the PHP20,000 financial aid that can be used for burial and funeral expenses.

Lopez said Jumalon’s two children will also be provided with educational assistance, amounting PHP5,000 each.

He said the Jumalon family will also be referred for inclusion to the DSWD Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) for them to start a small business as soon as possible.

Lopez said the assistance to Jumalon’s family is part of the DSWD’s Media Welfare Program, which seeks to highlight the significant role of media, and the agency’s commitment to protect their welfare.

“This initiative underscores the DSWD’s commitment to assisting families affected by tragedies, as well as recognizing the vital role of media professionals in society and ensuring their welfare and of their families during challenging times,” he said.

From July 2022 to October this year, the DSWD has extended assistance amounting to PHP44.8 million to some 1,636 media people in crisis situations, Lopez said. (PNA)