The San Juan City local government, together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), distributed financial assistance and relief packages to over 100 families affected by the fire that hit a residential area in Isla F. Manalo, Barangay Batis.
(Photo by Patrick Garcia)
San Juan City Rep. Bel Zamora, with DSWD and city government officials, led the distribution of P10,000 cash aid and DSWD food boxes to each family.
"Nung nangyayare pa ang sunog ay tinawagan ko po agad si Sec. Rex Gatchalian na isa sa mga naging una kong kaibigan sa congress kaya madali po akong nakalapit nakahingi ng dagdag pondo (While the fore was ongoing, I immediately called Sec. Rex Gatchalian who is one of my very first friends in congress, hence, it was easy for us to seek assistance from him and ask for additional funds for our affected residents)," Zamora said.
She also asked the public to donate items for the fire victims such as hygiene kits, diapers and milk for children, clothes, blankets and pillows, and food and water.
Zamora, sister of San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, assured San Juaneños that her brother is always on top of the situation despite him in the US to accompany his wife Keri in her periodic medical tests and checkup as a cancer survivor. The mayor will also attend a Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) training overseas.
Rep. Zamora expressed her gratitude to all the first responders in the incident, most especially to Chasper Kenneth "CK" Alcantara Oliver, the fire volunteer who died in the fire.
Mayor Zamora had earlier lauded the bravery and dedication of the 25-year-old fire volunteer who was killed after being crushed by a collapsed wall while the fire was ongoing.
He was immediately brought to San Juan Medical Center (SJMC), but his injuries were too grave for him to be saved.
"Sa kanyang pagpanaw, tayo po ay nangangako na hindi malilimutan ang kanyang tapang at dedikasyon. Ang lahat ng gastusin sa ospital ay ating sinagot, at kasalukuyan na ring inaayos ang mga kailangan para sa kanyang burol at libing sa San Juan City Cemetery. Maghahandog din tayo ng karagdagan pang tulong pinansyal (With his death, we are promising that his dedication and heroism will never be forgotten. We have already shouldered all his hospital expenses as well as his burial needs at the San Juan City Cemetery. We will also provide financial assistance to his family)," the mayor explained.
"Sa bawat buhay na nailigtas ni CK, naiwan niya ang bakas ng kanyang kabayanihan. Ang kanyang alaala ay mananatili sa puso ng bawat isa sa atin bilang isang paalala ng tunay na sakripisyo at dedikasyon sa pagtulong sa kapwa. Nawa'y magsilbing ilaw ang kanyang kwento sa madilim na oras na ito at bigyan tayo ng lakas na ipagpatuloy ang ating mga buhay na may pag-asa at tapang (With each life that CK had saved lies his heroism and gallantry. His memories will remain in the hearts of each and everyone and will remain as a reminder of what true sacrifice and dedication in helping the public mean. I hope his story will serve as a light during this dark hour, and be an inspiration for us to continue living with bravery and hope)," he added.