A fire blazed in a residential area near the Malacañang Palace Wednesday morning, August 17, that left 400 families or about 2,500 individuals homeless.
President Rodrigo Duterte visited the victims currently housed inside the San Miguel Church in San Miguel, Manila and gave financial and food assistance to the affected families.
According to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) report, the president promised to provide P5,000 cash assistance per family as well as food and blankets to all those affected by the fire.
“We will ask the DSWD to provide food everyday habang nag-a-adjust kayo. Basta araw-araw, hanggang nag-a-adjust adjust kayo, kami ang magpakain,” Duterte said to the fire victims.
No casualties were reported but the blaze left P2 million damages in property.
“The fire was reportedly due to a candle left unattended in a house that did not have electricity. We are checking reports that the candle was used in a ‘shabu’ session,” the Philippine Inquirer quoted Chief Supt. Joel Coronel, Manila Police District director, as saying.
Credit: Inquirer, PNA
Photo credit: Presidential Communications Operations Office
