Valenzuela fire victims receive assistance

Over 100 families rendered homeless by the fire that also cost the lives of five children over the weekend in Malinta, Valenzuela City, received financial assistance yesterday from the city government.

Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian said he has ordered the Treasurer’s Office to release over half a million pesos to 109 families now living on temporary shelters set up on two basketball courts.

"We have ordered the immediate release and distribution of the funds for the affected families so that they can immediately start rebuilding their lives shattered by the tragic fire last week. It is said that the fire should happen at the beginning of a hope for a happy and bountiful new year," said Gatchalian.

Gatchalian has also ordered the distribution of P5,000 cash relief to the owner of the structure, P3,000 each for tenant families and P25,000 burial assistance to a family that lost five children in the blaze.

Harold and Marites Vivita’s five children — Bibeth, 10; Rita, 8; Henessy, 7; Maymay, 6; and Harold Jr., 3, — were killed. Their eldest son, Herald, who suffered severe burns, survived and is currently recuperating.

Aside from the financial assistance, Gatchalian said the fire victims are getting other forms of help. The city social welfare office has been running a free soup kitchen at the site of the fire. Earlier, they distributed blankets, mats and tents set up on an open basketball court.