A total of 480 families affected by the fire incidents in the city received cash assistance worth P10,000 each from the local government of Manila on Tuesday, Jan. 23.

The city government said the beneficiaries were the victims of the eight reported fire incidents in the city from last year, Dec. 31 to Jan. 15 this year.

Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, Vice Mayor John Marvin Yul Servo Nieto, the Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW), and barangay officials led the distribution at the covered court of the Universidad de Manila (UdM).

In her speech, she encouraged them to still be thankful that they are safe despite the incident.

 “Alam ko po na hindi talaga ito ang tamang panahon para tayo ay magsaya, pero hinihikayat ko po ang bawat isa sa inyo na magpasalamat pa rin dahil tayo po ay nakaligtas sa isang bagay na wala naman pong may kagustuhan (I know that this is not really the right time for us to celebrate, but I encourage you to still be thankful because we have survived fire incidents that no one else wants),” she said. 

She hoped that the beneficiaries would appreciate the help that they managed to provide for them, as she knew that it might be nothing compared to what they had lost. 

Lacuna-Pangan reminded them to always prioritize themselves even as she assured them that the city government will always provide them with the help that they need. 

“Kaya lagi po kayong mag-iingat, uunahin po lagi ninyo ang inyong kaligtasan, pero makakaasa po kayo na sa bawat trahedyang mangyayari sa inyong buhay, nandirito lang po ang inyong pamahalaan para kayo po ay tulungan (That's why you should always be careful, always put your safety first. I also promise that you can count on us—your government, that we are always here to help in whatever tragedy that might happen in your life),” she said. 

On Dec. 20, the city government also distributed P10,000 cash assistance to 626 families and P3,000 to eight unattached individuals who were the victims of fire incidents from Nov. 10 to Dec. 13.