500 fire victims receive needed aid

DAVAO CITY — At least 500 fire victims from three separate incidents here had a pleasant New Year's Eve as Davao City First District Representative Paolo Duterte — through the Pulong Pulong ni Pulong Program — treated them with special meals last Saturday.

The lawmaker's team prepared at least 20 roasted pigs and other viands with cooked rice and ice cream for dessert for the fire victims on New Year's Eve and distributed food packs and cash assistance to the fire victims.

They also distributed new clothes to the victims, including the children.

A resident of Leon Garcia identified as Ma. Eliza Paylado has expressed her profound gratitude to the lawmaker.

She narrated that she was with her grandchild when the fire spread quickly.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection in Davao Region, at least 300 houses were gutted by fire on 27 December, leaving around 800 individuals homeless.

The cause of the incident was due to an electrical eruption from an overheated appliance.

Barangay Leon Garcia chief Lita Empis also expressed gratitude to Duterte for the support and the delicious meal for the fire victims' New Year's Eve celebration, saying that seeing them welcoming the New Year with hopeful anticipation is heartwarming.

Meantime, the lawmaker's team also went to San Francisco De Asis Village in Barangay 74-A Matina Crossing and distributed assistance to over 100 fire victims after 17 houses were razed in the 31 December blaze.

The staff distributed hot porridge and new clothes to them and they will also receive cash aid this week as they also provided seven roasted pigs and other viands — chicken barbecue, roasted fish, and bihon or rice vermicelli — with cooked rice and ice cream for dessert for New Year's Eve for the fire victims in the said area.