Help pours for victims of Balete tree collapse tragedy
THE city government of Manila provided some 40-families affected by collapsed old Balete tree a temporary shelter at Delpan Evacuation Center before moving them to their permanent residence.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, Vice Mayor Yul Servo, City Engineer Arman Andres, Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) Director Arnel Angeles, and Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW) Director Asuncion “Re” Fugoso immediately inspected the place of incident on Estero De Magdalena in Binondo. Two including a two-year-old boy.
Mayor Lacuna spokesperson Atty. Princess Abante said food boxes were distributed to affected families while personnel of MDSW are still verifying the number of families qualified for financial assistance.
“Yung relocation po nila kasi ay under sa Pasig Rehab Commission, ngayon, nawala na po yung Pasig Rehab Commission at napunta ang responsibility sa DENR, so sakto, nagka-pandemic kaya hindi na po natuloy yung kanilang relocation,” Mayor Lacuna-Pangan said after conducting personal inspection in the area.
She also directed City Engr. Arman Andres to coordinate with the national government agencies for the relocation of all families living in danger zones.
Twenty-six waterways have been declared by the city government as danger zones and informal settlers are scheduled for relocation.
Meanwhile, Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. ordered the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to investigate the Recto incident where a tree fell into houses along a creek in Manila early morning Thursday.
National Housing Authority General Manager Joeben Tai directed NHA West Sector Officer-in-Charge Ar. Daniel Cocjin to coordinate with the city of Manila and process the immediate relocation of 40 families living along Estero de Magdalena in Binondo, Manila.
The relocation of informal settler families (ISFs) living alongside waterways and other danger areas of Metro Manila, such as esteros, creeks, and railways, is a priority program of the NHA in coordination with the concerned local government units. Edd Reyes, Joel dela Torre and Jun I. Legaspi
