MANILA – The city government of Manila has assured prompt assistance for nearly 2, 000 families who were displaced by fires that hit the Isla Puting Bato in Tondo and in the Sampaloc District over the weekend.
Mayor Honey Lacuna, during her visit to fire victims staying at Delpan Evacuation Center, said the list of beneficiaries of PHP 10, 000 financial aid from the city is now being prepared as she urged the affected families to fully cooperate with social workers.
“Pakiusap ko po, ‘wag po sana natin aawayin ang mga social workers dahil gusto po nating ma-isaayos ang lahat nang maibigay po kaagad sa inyo ang tulong para kahit paano ay makapag-umpisa na kayong muli. Wala pong may gusto ng nangyari at kami po ay narito para kayo ay damayan (I am appealing to you, let us not pick figjts with social workers because we all want everything to be in order and for all of you to get assistance so you can start again. Nobody wanted this tragedy to happen and we are here to help you),” the mayor said in a statement Monday.
Lacuna was accompanied by Vice Mayor Yul Servo and city social welfare department chief Re Fugoso.
Fugoso said that as soon as the fires broke out, Lacuna immediately mobilized all concerned city government units for the provision of temporary shelter, meals and basic necessities for displaced residents.
As of this writing, Fugoso said the number of families displaced by Sunday morning’s fire that engulfed over 1, 000 structures at Isla Puting Bato has already reached 1, 823.
Meanwhile, another 24 families were displaced in the fire caused by faulty electrical wiring in Barangays 489 and 490, near the Dangwa flower market. (PNA)