Marcos assures aid to Parola Compound fire victims in Manila

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday assured continued government assistance to families displaced by the massive fire that hit a residential community in Parola Compound, Binondo, Manila over the weekend.

Marcos made the commitment during a visit to the Delpan Evacuation Center, where affected residents are currently staying. A video posted by Super Radyo dzBB reporter Manny Vargas showed the President meeting evacuees alongside Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.

“Dumaan lang po ako sandali dito sa inyo upang tiyakin na lahat ng pangangailangan ninyo, lahat ng tulong na ibibigay ng pamahalaan, ay aabot sa inyo,” Marcos said, stressing that the government is responsible for helping families who lost their homes to the fire.

(“I just dropped by briefly to make sure that all your needs, all the assistance that the government will provide, will reach you.”)

He said various government agencies, led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), are working with the City of Manila to provide immediate relief.

“Meron po tayong hygiene kit, family kit, at food assistance na P10,000 para meron po kayong magamit,” he added.

(“We have hygiene kits, family kits, and P10,000 in food assistance so you have something to use.”)

Marcos also assured evacuees that aid will continue in the coming days, saying government support will not stop until all affected families are fully assisted.

He added that housing assistance is also being prepared through the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), including possible building materials to help families rebuild their homes.

He also thanked other agencies, including the National Housing Authority (NHA), which is providing an additional P30,000 assistance for rebuilding and basic household needs.

Meanwhile, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said affected residents will still receive aid even without presenting identification cards, noting that validation can be done through local social welfare offices.

“That's fine… when they approach the social worker, we can do the validation with the local social welfare. It does not really matter,” Gatchalian said.

The DSWD said it will continue providing immediate and sustained support, including kitchen kits, sleeping kits, and other non-food items for families staying at the evacuation center.

More than 2,000 families were displaced by the fire, which escalated to Task Force Bravo at 4:10 p.m. on Saturday and Task Force Charlie at 5:15 p.m.

Firefighters declared the blaze out at 12:15 a.m. Sunday. Authorities reported no casualties.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire and the extent of property damage.—MCG, GMA News