By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday led the distribution of food, cash assistance, and guaranteed medical services to about 2,100 families displaced by a recent fire in Tondo, City of Manila.
At a ceremonial event held at the Rosauro Almario Elementary School, Marcos emphasized the need to prioritize the health of the fire victims currently staying at the Delpan Evacuation Center.
“Ang inaalala ko kasi dahil ang sikip-sikip doon sa Delpan, inaalala ko ‘yung mga maliliit na bata baka magkasakit, kaya tiniyak natin na mayroon tayong medical team na manggagaling sa Department of Health na pupunta. Tuluy-tuloy po yan. Hindi na sila aalis (What I’m worried about is it is very crowded in Delpan. I’m worried about the small children getting sick, so we made sure that we have a medical team from the Department of Health that will go there. That’s continuous. They won’t leave),” he said.
The President vowed to continue delivering food packs and other assistance until the fire victims can rebuild their homes.
He also assured them of the national and local governments’ commitment to providing new houses before Christmas.
Marcos said he had instructed Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna to deliver timely aid and support for fire-affected families.
“Kaya’t kailangan maayos natin kaagad yun. Kaya’t huwag niyo alalahanin. Andito po ang city government, andito po ang national government. Lahat po ng ahensya ng pamahalaang nasyonal at nag-uugnay naman kasama ang mga local government officials, ang ating tunay na first responder (We need to fix that right away. So, don’t worry. The city government is here, the national government is here. All national government agencies are coordinating with local government officials, our true first responders),” he said.
“Kailangang cash para kayo bawat isang pamilya may hawak para magamit para naman doon sa pangangailangan na sa pamilya ninyo: yung gatas nga ng bata, yung gamot na maintenance, at kung anuman (You need cash for each family’s needs – baby’s milk, maintenance medicines, and whatever you need).”
Under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program, each fire-affected family received PHP10,000 in cash assistance and family food packs to cover their immediate needs.
The Office of the President, on the other hand, distributed 2,100 blankets and sleeping mats to the displaced families.
About 2,100 families were displaced by the massive fire that hit Isla Puting Bato in Tondo and Sampaloc District on Nov. 24. (PNA)
