MANILA — In response to the devastating fire in Tondo, Manila, which rendered over 2,000 families homeless, the local government has distributed PHP10,000 in cash assistance to each affected household.
According to Philippines News Agency, the cash aid initiative was led by Mayor Honey Lacuna at the General Vicente Lim Elementary School on Tuesday. The Manila Public Information Office reported that the affected residents of the Aroma Compound in Barangay 105 not only received financial assistance but were also provided with hygiene kits and other relief goods. Mayor Lacuna expressed gratitude towards the City Council for their rapid approval of the resolution that facilitated the swift distribution of funds.
“The City Council’s fast approval of this resolution is a proof that when the welfare of our kababayans are at stake, there should be no political color involved. We should all unite for the benefit of every Manileño family,” Lacuna remarked during the distribution event. The fire had displaced a total of 6,726 individuals, including 3,862 minors, 2,580 adults, 64 persons with disabilities (PWDs), and 220 senior citizens, impacting homeowners, renters, and those in shared accommodations alike.
Furthermore, Mayor Lacuna highlighted the resilience of the community and the crucial role of collaboration between local government and barangay officials in ensuring timely assistance is provided to those in need.
In a related announcement, Mayor Lacuna called on all senior citizens in the city to surrender their expiring PayMaya cards as they will be replaced with new Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) cards that do not have an expiration date. This will facilitate the PHP500 monthly cash allowance for seniors, which starting this month, will be distributed directly in barangays. For bedridden or immobilized seniors, arrangements have been made for barangay officials to visit and issue senior citizen cards at their residences.
Elinor Jacinto from the city’s OSCA also noted that elderly residents could authorize an able-bodied companion to collect their senior cards on their behalf, either at the OSCA office in City Hall or at any “Kalinga sa Maynila” event where OSCA booths are set up.