President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday assured more than 2,000 families displaced by the massive fire in Parola Compound, Tondo, Manila that government assistance would continue until they are able to recover and rebuild their homes.
Marcos visited the affected residents and led the distribution of family food packs, ready-to-eat food boxes, hygiene kits, and sleeping kits for families who lost their homes in the May 23 blaze.
The fire destroyed 1,266 houses and displaced 2,134 families, equivalent to 7,123 individuals.
“Dumaan lang po ako sandali dito sa inyo upang tiyakin na ang lahat ng pangangailangan ninyo, lahat ng tulong na ibibigay ng pamahalaan ay natatanggap ninyo,” Marcos told the fire victims.
He said the government has a duty to respond quickly when families lose their homes to calamities such as fire.
“Dahil alam naman natin na pag ganyan ang nangyari, nagkasunog, nawalan kayo ng tirahan, ay dapat talaga ang pamahalaan ang magsasaklolo sa inyo,” the President added.
Marcos said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will provide financial assistance of up to P10,000 to affected families, while the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) will distribute materials to help residents rebuild their homes.
He also assured the victims that the national government, DSWD, and the Manila city government would remain on the ground until the affected families are ready to return home and resume normal life.
“Sana po kahit na medyo mahirap ngayon, asahan po ninyo, hindi po aalis ang pamahalaan, hindi po aalis ang DSWD, hindi po aalis ang Lungsod ng Maynila,” Marcos said.
“Hindi po aalis hanggang kayo ay handa nang makauwi uli at mamuhay ulit ng normal,” he added.
Based on data from the DSWD’s Disaster Response Operations Monitoring, Information, and Communication Division, 500 families or 2,500 individuals are temporarily staying at the Delpan Evacuation Center in Manila.
Another 1,634 families, equivalent to 4,623 individuals, are staying with relatives or friends.
The DSWD said around P1.164 million worth of food and non-food relief items had already been provided to residents affected by the fire.