President Marcos has assured victims of the massive fire that hit Parola Compound in Binondo, Manila, that the government would continue extending assistance until affected families can rebuild their lives and return home.

The President visited the Delpan Evacuation Center and Delpan Sports Complex on Monday, May 25, to personally lead the distribution of government aid to displaced residents.

“Dumaan lang po ako sandali dito sa inyo upang tiyakin na ang lahat ng pangangailangan ninyo, lahat ng tulong na ibibigay ng pamahalaan ay natatanggap ninyo (I just came here briefly to make sure that all your needs and all the assistance from the government are reaching you),” he said.

“Dahil alam naman natin na ‘pag ganyan ang nangyari, nagkasunog, nawalan kayo ng tirahan, ay dapat talaga ang pamahalaan ang magsasaklolo sa inyo (We know that when something like this happens — when there is a fire and you lose your homes — the government should come to your aid),” he added.

The President said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other government agencies, along with the Manila city government, are coordinating efforts to assist displaced families.

Marcos announced that affected families are receiving hygiene kits, family food packs, and financial aid worth P10,000 from the national government.

“Hindi po kami titigil ng pagbigay ng pagkain at lahat ng assistance (We will not stop providing food and all forms of assistance),” he said.

“Wala pong tigil ‘yan, tuloy-tuloy po naming gagawin ‘yan (That will not stop. We will continue doing that),” he added.

The Chief Executive also said the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) would provide building materials to help families rebuild their homes.

He added that the National Housing Authority (NHA) would also provide an additional P30,000 rebuilding assistance to affected families.

According to Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro, the families affected by the fire would each receive P5,000 from the Office of the President.

“Makikipag-ugnayan ang Office of the President sa lokal na pamahalaan ng Maynila upang mabilis na maipamahagi ang tulong-pinansiyal sa mga biktima ng sunog (The Office of the President shall coordinate with the Manila city government to ensure the speedy distribution of the financial aid to the fire victims),” she said.

President Marcos assured victims that the government would remain present until residents are able to recover from the tragedy.

“Asahan po ninyo, hindi po aalis ang pamahalaan, hindi po aalis ang DSWD, hindi po aalis ang Lungsod ng Maynila (Rest assured, the government, the DSWD, and the City of Manila will not leave),” he said.

“Nandito po kami, hindi po kayo namin iiwanan, hindi po kayo makakalimutan, hindi kayo namin pababayaan (We are here. We will not abandon you, forget you, or neglect you),” he added.

At least 7,123 residents, or around 2,134 families, were displaced after a massive fire tore through Parola Compound near Gate 46 in Delpan, Binondo, on Saturday, May 23.

The fire escalated rapidly from first alarm to Task Force Charlie as flames spread across densely packed homes.

Authorities said the blaze destroyed at least 1,266 structures before it was declared out early Sunday morning.

Among those displaced were 310 senior citizens and over 2,700 minors.

No fatalities or injuries were immediately reported, while authorities continue investigating the cause of the fire.