Jolo, Zambo fire victims get aid
ZAMBOANGA CITY – President Duterte distributed cash assistance on Thursday to around 400 families who lost their homes in a fire that hit Purok 5, Barangay Labuan in this city on Sunday.
Duterte also promised to provide housing to affected families.
The President flew to Barangay Labuan at about 7 p.m. after visiting Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.
The cash assistance consists of P5,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); P1,500 from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., and P1,500 from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
When he learned of the amount, Duterte asked Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go to release an additional P7,000 to each family.
The President also directed Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council Chairman Eduardo del Rosario and National Housing Authority General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr. to visit this city to determine the kind of housing units to be constructed for fire victims.
Duterte said the housing units should be finished next year.
The President was set to visit Jolo yesterday to lead the release of cash assistance to victims of a fire that hit Barangays Busbus and Walled City on Tuesday.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DSWDARMM) said 1,615 victims would receive P16,484,400 each under the unconditional cash transfer of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps.
More than 20,000 villagers were reportedly displaced in the fire, the worst to hit Jolo after the siege by Moro National Liberation Front rebels in 1974.
Laisa Alamia, DWSDARMM secretary, said elementary students would also receive P300 each; high school students, P500, and pregnant women needing prenatal care, P500.