A 28-year-old mother of four died after collapsing while waiting in line for P20-per-kilo rice in Don Carlos, Bukidnon, on May 25, leaving behind her young children and a family now facing financial hardship.
In an exclusive interview with Brigada Valencia City, Lusminda Valoria, the victim’s grandmother, recalled the incident and said her granddaughter, Desiree Binagatan, suddenly lost consciousness while queuing for the discounted rice.
Family members rushed Binagatan to a hospital in an effort to save her life. However, she was declared dead on arrival.
According to a death certificate shown by the family, the cause of death was a serious heart condition.
Valoria said the family is now facing even greater difficulties following Binagatan’s death. Aside from grieving the loss of a daughter and mother, the family is also struggling financially.
She said Binagatan had joined the queue for the lower-priced rice because the family had limited resources and was looking for ways to reduce household expenses.
Valoria believes her granddaughter may have become exhausted while waiting in line, although the death certificate cited a serious heart condition as the cause of death.
The grandmother also appealed to the government to consider distributing discounted rice through barangays so residents would no longer need to travel long distances or wait in lengthy lines to purchase the commodity.
She expressed hope that people with generous hearts, as well as government agencies, would extend assistance to the family during this difficult time.
Valoria said the family remains uncertain about how they will cover funeral expenses as they continue to cope with the sudden loss of their loved one.
