Families lose breadwinners in Davao city's NCCC Mall blaze

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Holding back tears, 60-year-old Feliciano Penarejo recalled how much his daughter Analiza helped the family meet its needs since she started working as a call center agent two years ago.

Analiza, 29, was among those killed in the early morning fire that broke out Saturday at the NCCC Mall. Survey Sampling International (SSI), the US-based company that employed her, leased the mall’s entire fourth floor.

Waiting for news of Analiza’s fate stopped preparations for the Christmas Eve celebration at the Penarejo residence in Toril.

Analiza’s remains have yet to be identified from among the 36 recovered yesterday near the stairs.

Christine Alviola, 25, also contributed much of her income to the family.

As the youngest daughter, she was the one who spent for most of her mother’s needs.

Jaime Perias, her brother-in-law, said they could only hope that authorities could hasten the recovery and identification process so they could bring her home to Mawab, in Compostela Valley.

Both Penarejo and Perias said it was a big help that President Duterte showed up and consoled with them and the relatives of other victims as they witnessed the fire that continued to rage until Sunday dawn.

Duterte tasked Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) executive director Leopoldo Vega to oversee the crisis management for the relatives of the 37 victims.

“The whole thing is really heartbreaking. You could just imagine. These victims were breadwinners of their families. It is sad,” Vega told The STAR.

He has declared the lobby of the hospital’s JICA building as reception and waiting area for relatives.

“I have set an area where their (victims) DNA could be taken and at the same time we have put in place at least 30 beds which will be used for the needed forensic examination of the victims,” Vega said.

The Presidential Management Staff and the Davao City Social Services Development Office have also been tasked to set up a system to deal with relatives of the victims.

Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles led a mass for the victims yesterday afternoon at a space adjacent to the NCCC Mall.

SSI confirmed “with deep sadness” the death of its 37 employees. It employs at least 500 workers at the NCCC Mall location.

“This terrible tragedy has left us with heavy hearts. We offer our condolences and prayers to the families and loved ones of the victims. Words cannot express how saddened we are. We are grateful for the courageous response of the first responders and others who rushed to the scene,” said Gary Laben, CEO of Research Now SSI.

The company has arranged for counseling for its employees as it is also helping support funeral arrangements, and will create a fund for contributions to provide further assistance to the families of those who perished.