President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday assured families affected by a devastating fire in Happyland, Barangay 105, Tondo, Manila, that the government will continue to support them until their lives return to normalcy.

During his visit, President Marcos oversaw the distribution of assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at two temporary shelters in Tondo.

“Kahit na ganito ang nangyari, asahan po ninyo ang gobyerno ninyo ay nandito, binabantayan kayo, inaalalayan kayo, at titiyakin namin na maaalagaan namin kayo sa lahat ng inyong pangangailangan,” President Marcos said in a message to the evacuees at the Gen. Vicente Lim Elementary School.

“Kaunting tiyaga lang po, gagawin po namin ang lahat para makabalik na kayo sa normal na ninyong buhay,” the President added.

President Marcos said that upon learning about the massive fire last Saturday, he ordered DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian to immediately provide relief goods and cash assistance to the affected families.

President Marcos also said that medical teams, consisting of doctors and nurses, will be deployed to prevent the outbreak of illnesses among the evacuees due to overcrowding.

Once authorities permit the evacuees to return to their homes, the President said the government will explore options to assist with the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the residences of affected residents.

“Pagka puwede na kayong bumalik sa inyong mga tahanan ay ang gagawin po natin ay titingnan po natin kung papaano makatulong ‘yung pamahalaan para sa pagpatayo ulit ng bahay o pag rehabilitasyon ng bahay,” the President said.

Before meeting with fire survivors at the Gen. Vicente Lim Elementary School, President Marcos interacted with evacuees at the Antonio Villegas Vocational High School, also located in Tondo.

Other families affected by the fire are temporarily sheltered at the covered court in Barangay 105.

The DSWD distributed several aid items to the evacuees, including 2,235 family food packs, 2,235 hygiene kits, and 2,235 sleeping kits. Additionally, the DSWD prepared 2,000 hot meals using its mobile kitchen.

The agency also provided cash assistance through its emergency cash transfer (ECT) program, with each beneficiary receiving P15,109 for a period covering 29 days.

The Happyland fire broke out late Saturday night, September 13, and rapidly engulfed the densely populated area. | PND