ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao — through the Ministry of Social Services and Development — has distributed relief assistance to over 1,065 families of fire victims of three separate fire incidents that hit the region in three consecutive days.

MSSD Minister Raissa H. Jajurie on Wednesday said that the MSSD — through its Tawi-Tawi Provincial Office — has distributed relief assistance to over 1,000 families who were victims of a fire that hit Barangay Poblacion in Bongao town in Tawi-Tawi on 8 September.

According to Jajurie, in less than 24 hours following the incident, the Ministry immediately responded to the needs of the affected families as each of them received P2,000 as emergency cash assistance, 10 kilograms of rice, welfare goods and trapal from MSSD.

Meantime, the MSSD, in collaboration with the Office of the Member of Parliament Hashemi Dilangalen, assisted 40 families affected by a fire that hit Barangay Rosary Heights 7 in Cotabato City.

The fire broke out on 5 September near the Barter Trade Center of Cotabato City, destroying 25 houses and displacing 40 families.

Each of the affected families received relief packages consisting of 25 kilograms of rice, essential grocery items, dignity kits, hygiene water kits and tarpaulins.

The MSSD also assisted 15 people in Barangay Dialongana in Lumba Bayabao town, Lanao del Sur after a fire caused by faulty electrical wiring that hit their homes on 6 September.

Each family received essential items, including sleeping kits, dignity kits, hygiene kits, trapal, water containers, 25 kilograms of rice, canned goods, and other grocery items from MSSD.

In addition to MSSD's support, the municipal local government unit also provided P20,000 to the affected families.