The City Government of Davao, through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), on Thursday commemorated the bombing of the old Davao airport 20 years ago.
Thursday’s solemn ceremony was attended by Mayor Sebastian Duterte, CSWDO head Atty. Marlisa Gallo, Task Force Davao Commander Col Darren Comia, Davao City Police Office Director PCol Alberto Lupaz, families of the victims, barangay functionaries, and other public officials.
Flowers were offered and candles were lit at the bombing site in Sasa.
The 2003 airport bombing left 22 people dead and 113 others injured. The attack prompted the creation of the Task Force Davao, which was mandated to prevent other incidents of the same nature.
Duterte, in his speech, addressed the families of the victims and vowed that the city government will continue to help them.
The mayor added that the city will also continue strengthening its security measures.
Gallo said the CSWDO has continued to deliver various forms of assistance to the victims’ dependents.
“Nagpadayun ta og pa-eskwela sa ilaha ug kaluoy sa Diyos, naa na puy pipila na naka-graduate (We continue to help in the education of the victims’ dependents and with God’s mercy some of them had already graduated),” said Gallo.
The CSWDO has continued to provide assistance to 127 dependents, mainly families of the fatalities and those injured. As of 2023, a total of 14 beneficiaries have completed tertiary education under the assistance of the office. CIO
