A massive fire in the early morning of February 7, 2024, left over 450 households in Puerto Princesa’s Barangay Pagkakaisa and Barangay Bagong Silang razed. Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, the caretaker of the district left behind by the late Rep. Edward Hagedorn, said that he had endorsed releasing a P35 million aid for fire victims. (Photo from Office of Speaker Romualdez)
MANILA, Philippines — Victims of a fire in Puerto Princesa, Palawan will get financial aid as House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez announced that he is facilitating the release of P35 million in assistance to the area.
Romualdez — who is the caretaker of Palawan’s 3rd District following the demise of former governor and Rep. Edward Hagedorn — said that aid would be coursed through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), particularly the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.
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Each affected family would get a P10,000 aid.
Romualdez said the fire broke out early Wednesday morning, affecting over 450 households and 920 families in Puerto Princesa’s Barangay Pagkakaisa and Barangay Bagong Silang.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragedy that has befallen the residents of Barangay. Pagkakaisa and Barangay Bagong Silang. In these trying times, it is imperative that we come together as a nation to support our fellow Filipinos,” he said.
“The provision of financial assistance is a crucial step in our concerted efforts to aid in their recovery,” he added.
He said the City Social Welfare Development (CSWD) is currently finalizing the tally of those impacted. The assistance would be sourced under the allocation of funds within the 2024 General Appropriations Act.
He added that the local government unit of Puerto Princesa and Hagedorn’s family had contacted the House leadership for assistance.
In response, said told the speaker they were committed to “providing immediate and effective aid to the victims, ensuring they receive the support needed to rebuild their lives.”
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