DSWD Usec spearheads Relief Operations in San Miguel Fire Incident
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary of Operations Aimee S. Torrefranca-Neri led the relief operations to the victims of the fire in Barangay San Miguel on April 22, 2019.
The fire incident happened last April 19, 2019 where 31 families were affected and one was killed. The victims evacuated to Mateo Jagmis Elementary School.
The DSWD delivered family food packs and hygiene kits to the victims.
The DSWD is also distributing Emergency Shelter Assistance but it is still limited due to the moratorium due to the upcoming election. “As of ngayon, naka-moratorium po kasi yung DSWD, yung Emergency Shelter Assistance na supposedly magbibigay rin po kami ng Emergency Shelter Assistance,” Usec Neri said.
According to Usec Neri, DSWD is currently coordinating with the National Housing Authority (NHA), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Operations (PAGCOR), and Philippine Charity
Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to help in the rebuilding of the homes of the victims.
Usec Neri advises the victims to coordinate with the Representative of the Office of the President Elgin Damasco and the Barangay officials of San Miguel. “Kelangan ninyo magtayo, kelangan ninyo ng materyales, ito po si Sir Damasco, ito po Representative of the Office of the President, ito po yung mga barangay officials, sabihan niyo lang po sila para mairelay ni Sir Damasco sa akin at mairelay ko rin po sa NHA, PAGCOR, PCSO para magtulong tulong po sila para mabigyan po kayo ng panimulang pantayo ng mga pabahay,” she added.
Usec Neri also visited the two victims of the fire who are admitted in Adventist Hospital and promised that they will help in the hospital bill and the burial of their mother who died in the incident.
The evacuees of the fire are pleased with quick response of the government as well as other non-government organizations who aided them after the fire. “Nagpapasalamat din kami kasi kusang loob nila binigay sa amin. Kumbaga sila nalang yung mismong pumunta dito sa amin, nagpapasalamat nalang po ako sa kanila kasi kahit papaano tumutulong sila sa nangangailangan lalong-lalo na yung mga nasunugan,” said Razel A. Bunque, one of the victims.