At least 2,500 families affected by Parola Compound fire, says Manila mayor

Over 2,000 families were displaced by the massive fire that swept through a residential community at the Parola compound in Binondo during the weekend, Mayor Isko Moreno said Sunday.

“Mabigat ito kasi humigit-kumulang tatlong libo na ito kasi nasa 2,500 na kanina ‘nung nagpunta ako roon, maraming ‘di pa nakakapagpa-lista,” Moreno said.

(This is heavy because it’s already around 3,000, since it was already at 2,500 earlier when I went there, and a lot of people haven't even signed up yet.)

The Manila Local Government Unit (LGU) said it has tasked its social welfare department to register the affected individuals.

Meanwhile, Moreno said the city is rushing to clear debris from the streets and nearby sections of the Pasig River, and that trucks and bulldozers have already been requested to assist in the clearing operation.

“I called the city engineering… to collect all the debris, first things first, makagalaw sila nang maayos, mailabas nila yung mga debris sa eskinita, looban at nearby Pasig River, tapos ilabas along Parola road,” the mayor said.

(I called city engineering to collect all the debris. First things first, so they can move around properly, get the debris out of the alleys and inner streets, clear it from the nearby Pasig River, and then bring it out along Parola Road.)

The Manila city gov’t. said it plans to give financial support to the affected families, to help them rebuild their homes.

According to EJ Gomez’s report on “24 Oras Weekend," families will receive P15,000 cash aid from the local government.

Most of the victims are temporarily staying at the Delpan Evacuation Center in Manila.

“Sa loob ng tatlo hanggang limang araw, full meals mula almusal, tanghalian [at] hapunan ipo-provide ng pamahalaang lungsod ng Maynila,” Manila Department of Social Welfare Director Jay Dela Fuente said.

(Within three to five days, the Manila city government will provide full meals from breakfast, lunch, [and] dinner.)

Authorities said no casualties were reported and that they are still investigating the cause of the fire and the total cost of the damage.

The fire was escalated to Task Force Bravo at 4:10 p.m., then to Task Force Charlie at 5:15 p.m.

Officials declared the fire out at 12:15 a.m. Sunday. Authorities said no casualties were reported. —Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/RF, GMA News