Mandaluyong calamity fund release urged

MANILA, Philippines - Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin Abalos Jr. is seeking the release of the city’s P20-million calamity fund to help at least 1,800 residents left homeless by a fire that hit densely populated Addition Hills on Wednesday.

He is asking the city council to approve the release of the fund, saying the city government is shouldering the meals and basic needs of the affected residents, who are at the Fabella gym, the Andres Bonifacio Integrated School and the Hardin ng Pag-asa.

Abalos said it would take at least one week before the affected residents could return to normal lives.

He said unless the calamity fund is released, the city government might scale down the financial assistance given to the fire victims. House owners usually receive P10,000; sharers, P5,000; and renters, P3,000.