Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano has ordered a formal investigation into the death of a 31-year-old mother who collapsed during the verification of financial assistance at the Barangay Opao Gym.
Ouano announced the probe during a press conference on March 16 following the death of Mary Christ Cuizon, a resident of Barangay Paknaan. He said the investigation will determine what transpired during the March 11 incident and identify any party who may be held accountable.
The City Legal Office will lead the investigation, which the mayor said will be conducted thoroughly and transparently.
The city has secured CCTV footage from outside the gym through Barangay Opao, but Ouano confirmed that no cameras are installed inside the facility. He added that the available footage remains incomplete, and authorities are still trying to obtain recordings covering the period from 12:00 p.m. to 12:20 p.m.
“Ang niggawas man gud sa news, sa social media, nga gipasagdan siya og 30 minutos, ug gipahuwat og dugay under the heat of the sun,” said Ouano, as he refuted claims that the victim collapsed while waiting outside. He clarified that Cuizon collapsed while already seated.
Ouano said a responder from the City of Naga first administered CPR.
Initial findings based on consolidated reports from the City Social Welfare Services and Barangay Opao showed that Cuizon collapsed from her seat at around 12:03 p.m. The Emergency Response Team received the report at approximately 12:06 p.m., and an ambulance arrived at around 12:13 p.m.
The Barangay Opao Gym is connected to the barangay hall, where ambulances are typically parked at the back of the building. However, Ouano said traffic conditions slightly delayed the ambulance’s arrival.
“Ato ni’ng i-forward sa City Legal Office ipatawag to ang mga personnel nga tan-aw nato possible kahibaw sila sa exact nga panghitabo,” the mayor said.
Ouano again dismissed claims that Cuizon was left unattended for 30 minutes, saying initial findings do not support this.
“Ang notion ba nga gipasagdan siya for 30 minutes which is di tinuod. Niuna lang to og CPR ang taga Naga siya ang naa didto, ninaog ang nurse sa barangay kay again connected ang barangay hall ug ang gym, nanawag ang nurse og ambulance, naabot ang ERT gi CPR gihapon but wala naman siyay pulse maong gi da na siya deretso sa District Hospital,” he said.
The mayor urged anyone who may have recorded videos of the incident to submit them to the City Legal Office to help complete the timeline.
“We are hoping nga kung kinsa to ang one of the beneficiaries nga naa sa sod, kung naay naka video para atong ma put together ang timeline kay naa naman tay timeline sa CCTV,” Ouano said, adding that initial findings indicate the victim was not neglected.
He also said the gym was not overcrowded at the time, despite 2,994 beneficiaries being scheduled for verification, as they did not arrive all at once.
Ouano said the city will hold those responsible accountable if the investigation finds negligence.
“Ato ning himuon na very transparent and thorough ang investigation,” he said.
The mayor also visited Cuizon’s wake and spoke with her father, Jenniffer Cuizon. He said the city will provide P49,000 in financial assistance and offer employment to help support the victim’s four children.
The death certificate listed cardiac arrest as the immediate cause of death, with an underlying condition of neurosepsis. (VCL)
