Manila, Jan. 26 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Field Office 9 (FO Zamboanga Peninsula) has provided ready-to-eat food (RTEF) boxes and psychosocial support to 137 survivors of the capsized M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 in Basilan.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Monday directed FO-9 Regional Director Riduan Hajimuddin to continue assessing the situation and prepare for additional aid, including medical assistance for injured passengers and burial support for bereaved families.

Gatchalian also ordered Riduan to ready the DSWD's financial assistance alongside the ongoing psychosocial intervention for the rescued passengers.

"The DSWD, through our Field Office 9, continues to closely monitor the maritime incident inv...