Mayor Wes, Senator Win distribute cash aid to Valenzuela fire victims
Valenzuela City Mayor Weslie "Wes" Gatchalian and Senator Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian distributed on Wednesday, Jan. 18, cash aid to fire victims in Barangay Gen. T. De Leon, Valenzuela City on Saturday, Jan. 14.
“Alam kong mabigat po ang pakiramdam na mawalan ng mga kagamitan, pero ang importante sa lahat ay buhay tayo – ang ating mga anak ay buhay, ang ating mga magulang, pati po ang mga senior citizen po natin ay nasa maayos pong kalagayan. Ang iba pong pangangailangan na materyal, ‘wag po kayong mag-alala nandito po ang lokal na pamahalaan na palagi pong sumusuporta sa inyo (I know it feels heavy to lose properties, but the most important thing is that we are alive – our children are alive, our parents, even our senior citizens are in good condition. For the other materials you need, don't worry the local government is here to always support you), Mayor Gatchalian said in his short address during the payout.
The affected families are temporarily staying at Bitik Elementary School.
Families whose houses were completely damaged received P10,000 cash assistance each, while families whose houses were partially burned got P7,000 each.
Senator Gatchalian's office also distributed P5,000 to each family affected by the fire.
Aside from the cash aid, the Department of Welfare and Development Office (DSWD) also handed out family kits containing clothes, slippers, bath towels, underwear, and shorts for children and adults.
City councilors also set up food stalls of free hot meals, snacks, and refreshments at the evacuation site.
No one was injured in the said fire that damaged an estimated P200,000 worth of property.
The fire victims are allowed to stay at the evacuation center until Jan. 20, the city government said.