Quezon City fire victims to get aid

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government said yesterday it will provide cash assistance to the victims of a fire that gutted a residential community in Barangay Vasra on New Year’s Eve.

The city government said it is currently conducting a comprehensive assessment to ensure that only legitimate fire victims will receive the cash aid to be given tomorrow.

House owners will receive P10,000 while renters and sharers will get P5,000.

A statement from the office of Mayor Joy Belmonte said a team was quickly dispatched to the site shortly after the fire broke out on Dec. 31.

Victims were immediately provided with necessary assistance that included food packs, partition tents, a mobile shower facility, portable toilets and potable water.

Some 165 families have received assistance, although not everyone had been directly affected by the fire.

An initial report from the Bureau of Fire Protection said the fire was caused by faulty electrical connections.