Makati extends P2.175M to fire victims

MANILA, Philippines - The Makati City government on Wednesday reported that it has completed the release of P2.175 million in financial assistance to victims of two separate fires in Barangay Tejeros and at the Botanical Garden in Barangay Pio del Pilar on July 7 and 11, respectively.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay said he has asked the Makati Social Welfare Department (MSWD) to prioritize the processing of the much-needed assistance to provide immediate relief to the victims.

“Fires are devastating to the victims, especially if their homes and all their belongings are destroyed.  On my orders, the MSWD had immediately conducted tagging and identification of the victims so that they can promptly receive financial assistance and other forms of relief,” Binay said.

The MSWD reported that the P2.175 million has been distributed to a total of 387 households composed of 111 households affected in the Tejeros fire and 276 households razed by the fire at the Botanical Garden.  A household is defined by the MSWD to comprise one family or extended families living in the same house.

For the Tejeros fire victims, P780,000 was released as follows:  P10,000 each to 45 households that preferred financial assistance over relocation; P5,000 each to 56 households that opted to be relocated to the National Housing Authority relocation site in Trece Martirez, Cavite; and P5,000 each to 10 households that opted for the relocation site of Makati in Calauan, Laguna.

The assistance given to the 276 households from Botanical Garden amounting to P1.395 million was distributed as follows: P10,000 each to three households that went for only financial assistance minus relocation; P5,000 each for 120 households that were found to be ineligible for both relocation and the P10,000 financial aid; and P5,000 each for 153 households that opted to take the financial assistance and relocate to the NHA relocation site in Cavite.

In addition to the financial assistance and relocation, the victims also received transportation assistance to the relocation site or to their preferred destination, and food assistance for five days from the city government through the MSWD. - Mike Frialde