Solon affected by Tondo fire airs fellow victims’ plea

The Oct. 20 Manila fire that destroyed a Tondo neighborhood NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines–Two weeks after losing their homes to a fire, Manila residents who have long-occupied a block of apartments in Tondo are asking local and national government agencies to help them in their plan to finally buy the property.

The call was made on the residents’ behalf by Manila Rep. Benjamin Asilo, who was among those affected by the Oct. 20 blaze that gutted the apartments on Franco Street at the back of Pritil
Market.

In a statement Sunday, Asilo said many of the displaced residents were still cramped in tents and makeshift shelters as they awaited word from their landlords on whether they could start rebuilding in the area.

“Many of us, even those who were not affected by the fire, are now concerned that the landlords of this property will soon evict us because of the blaze,” said Asilo, himself a tenant whose house was slightly damaged by the fire.

The congressman representing Manila’s 1st District is leading the 257 displaced families in a bid to acquire the houses and lots they have been renting for decades.

“Many of us have been renting here for the last 60 years,” he said. “We hope the local government and our national government agencies can help us buy the land.”

He said the landowners had already been informed of the tenants’ plan. “We hope to hear from them this week, but we are still calling on the city government and the national government to help us financially. We are grateful for the help they have so far extended—the makeshift shelters, relief goods and other assistance—so we hope they can also help  us with this long-term solution that we want.”

A total of 50 houses were destroyed in the Oct. 20 midday fire.