A local community organization is urging all levels of government to allocate funding for support services for the victims of the Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy. Filipino BC, in a public plea released on Thursday, highlighted the lack of dedicated financial assistance from the federal, provincial, and municipal authorities since the devastating incident on April 26. During the festival, a tragic incident occurred where an SUV crashed into the crowd, resulting in the loss of 11 lives and leaving numerous others injured.
The group expressed concerns over the ongoing struggles faced by victims and their families, citing challenges in navigating existing support systems like ICBC, Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP), and EI. These bureaucratic hurdles often lead to inadequate resources for individuals, depriving them of their entitled benefits.
Kristina Corpin-Moser, the Executive Director of Filipino BC, described the situation as “heartbreaking,” emphasizing the desperate circumstances many families find themselves in, from financial hardships to accessing culturally appropriate mental health services. While acknowledging the relief efforts of organizations like the United Way BC Kapwa Strong Fund, Corpin-Moser stressed the government’s responsibility to provide sustained and practical assistance in the aftermath of such tragedies.
She criticized politicians for offering symbolic gestures of sympathy without tangible follow-up actions, asserting that affected communities deserve more than superficial displays of support.
The group also raised concerns about the City of Vancouver’s lack of progress in fulfilling a resolution from June to prioritize long-term recovery support for the victims, highlighting a disconnect in communication with Filipino BC. Additionally, Filipino BC pointed out shortcomings in the Vancouver Police Department’s Victim Services Unit that were exposed by the tragedy.
In recent developments, a B.C. judge ruled in early September that the suspect in the attack, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, is mentally fit to stand trial. Facing multiple charges including second-degree murder and attempted murder, Lo will remain in hospital detention until his trial.