Mayor Belmonte visits families affected by QC fire


Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Wednesday, Sept. 14, visited more than 50 families who were affected by the fire that hit Barangay Del Monte in the city last Tuesday, Sept. 13.

The local government said the families are currently staying at the San Francisco Elementary School in the said barangay.

It said that the fire victims were provided with hot meals, food packs, and hygiene kits/basic necessities.

According to the city government, verification for financial assistance for the families is ongoing.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said the fire started at around 4:13 p.m. on Tuesday in a residential area in the barangay.

It was declared under control at around 4:55 p.m. and was extinguished at around 6:33 p.m.

Probers said the fire was probably caused by an electric outlet in a bedroom on the ground floor of a two-storey house in the area.

District 1 Action Officer Ollie Belmonte, Barangay Community Relations Department head Ricky Corpuz, Barangay Del Monte Chairman Leo Pabustan and barangay officials joined Mayor Belmonte in visiting the fire victims.

The city government also thanked private organizations, particularly the Philippine Red Cross, and city councilors who provided help to the affected families.

The local government on Wednesday, Sept. 14, announced that Belmonte has created the Task Force for Fire Prevention and Preparedness that will create programs and policies, address the leading causes of fire, and ensure quick response to such incidents in the city.

It is composed of different city government departments together with utility companies such as the Manila Water Company, Inc., Maynilad, and Meralco.