The family of Merriner Bartoces, one of the two overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who died in a restaurant blast in Abu Dhabi last August 31, wanted to migrate to Canada and bring her entire family there once settled.
The 25-year-old restaurant worker is her family’s breadwinner. She is the eldest among her four siblings.
The victim’s sister, Rachel Bartoces, told The Filipino Times, “Nade-depress po talaga kaming lahat. Iyong tatay namin araw-araw umiiyak.”
“Ang dami niyang pangarap para sa amin kaso ngayon nawala naman siya,” added Rachel.
Days before the tragic incident, Merriner sent money to her family in Dumaguete.
The family said they were able to thank her for her unrelentless support to them, especially in these difficult times of COVID-19 pandemic.
“Nagpadala pa po siya ng panggastos nila Mama at Papa, masaya naman po ang pag uusap namin noong sinabi niyang nakapagpadala na siya,”
Another relative of the OFW took to Facebook to thank those who condoled with them in the untimely passing of Merriner.
“Masakit po pero kailangan po naming tanggapin. Kami po ay taus pusong nagpapasalamat sa lahat po ng tumulong. Sa mga kaibigan ko, sa mga taong kahit ‘di namin kakilala na nagpaabot ng tulong sa pamamagitan ng pagshare, paghanap ng info sa hospital, sa police at embassy at sa lahat po na nagreach out, maraming maraming maraming salamat po.”
The family is now coordinating with their local government unit in order to expedite the process of bringing home Merriner’s remains.
Earlier, the Labor Department assured that Merriner and the other Filipino fatality, Clark Gasis, will receive P120,000 bereavement assistance each from the government.
“They will also get insurance benefits if they are qualified members of the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello said.
Bello said OWWA would be ready to provide more aid allowed by law to the families of the victims. “We will extend to them all the support the government can provide,” he added.
