President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Manila Mayor Honey Lacuña at the Rosauro Almario Elementary School in Tondo, Manila, on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, to distribute aid to families affected by the recent fire at Isla Puting Bato, also in Tondo. (Screengrab from Radio Television Malacañang-RTVM/Facebook)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. distributed food packs and cash as government assistance to families affected by the massive fire at Isla Puting Bato in Tondo, Manila.
The blaze displaced at least 2,000 families from the slum area, as it burned at least 1,000 houses, according to the Office of Civil Defense, which placed the cost of damage at P2 million.
Marcos led the distribution of government aid to the fire victims at the Rosauro Almario Elementary School in Tondo on Saturday. Manila Mayor Honey Lacuña jointed him during the event.
The food packs and P10,000 cash aid were provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program.
READ: Huge fire razes Tondo community
The Office of the President, on the other hand, brought 2,100 blankets and sleeping mats for the Tondo fire beneficiaries.
Marcos assured the fire victims that each food pack will last three to four days, and if the food packs run out sooner, the government will provide more.
“We will give you what you need,” he said.
Marcos also said the cash aid is intended for the other needs of the fire victims, such as baby’s milk and maintenance medicines.
READ: Isko Moreno, Chi Atienza give cash aid to Isla Puting Bato fire victims
During his visit to the fire-affected families. Marcos likewise brought with him a medical team from the Department of Health to assist sick individuals.
“That goes on and on. They will never leave. They just go around all the evacuation centers. So when you have an illness, as long as you go to them and they will provide service to you,” Marcos said.
The president also committed to rebuild the houses of the fire victims in time for Christmas.
Otherwise, “I promised one of us at an evacuation center: If we haven’t brought you home by Christmas, I will come here to have a party, be happy and have a merry Christmas together,” he said.