President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. distributed PhP21 million in financial assistance to fire victims in Tondo on Saturday.

The aid is under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Of the amount, President Marcos distributed PhP10,000 each to 2, 100 fire victims, along with food packs, 2,100 blankets and 2,100 sleeping mats provided by the Office of the President (OP).

In his speech, President Marcos the national and the local governments will work closely to bring all the victims’ needs.

“Hindi po tayo titigil at gagawin [natin] lahat para tulungan kayo dahil alam naman po namin na kahit kayo’y nakangiti at malakas ang sigaw, marami po kayong iniisip kung paano alagaan ang inyong sarili, ang inyong mga pamilya, kung saan kayo uuwi. Alam po namin ‘yun,” President Marcos said.

Some of the victims are temporarily sheltered at the Delpan Evacuation Center in Brgy. 29, Tondo, Manila which the President visited to determine their condition. He assured the needy families of more help before Christmas.

“Pag kayo ay hindi pa namin naiuwi pagdating ng pasko, ako’y pupunta dito magpa-party, mag me-Merry Christmas tayo. Sama-sama. ‘Yan ‘yung pag udyok ko kay Mayor Lacuna,” the President said.

Prior to this, the local government unit (LGU) of Manila provided PhP10,000 per affected family on November 28.

At least 2,114 families, or 6,957 individuals, were left homeless after a fire broke out at around 8:02 am in Purok 1, 2, and 3 of Isla Puting Bato, Barangay 20, Zone 2, Tondo, Manila, on November 24 due to faulty electrical wire.

The fire was declared out at around 4:07 pm. The estimated cost of damage was pegged at PhP3.5 million. No deaths were recorded, but two individuals were injured. | PND