Several residents of Brgy. Damayang Lagi in Quezon City rummage through ashes and burnt debris after a fire broke out on Wednesday.
It was their home, or what’s left of it.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said 750 families were affected by the fire, with P2.5 million worth of damage.
These residents still returned, hoping that there might still be something left to save. With the slate burnt to ashes, they have to rebuild their lives once again.
Paulino Yberzaba, a resident, lined up in the barangay office because he was suffering from high blood pressure. Even if he is in a wheelchair, he still patiently waited for medical assistance.
He was wearing unmatched slippers.
“Itong tsinelas ko tingnan mo, (look at my slippers)” he pointed out. “Hindi ko nakita ang kabila nito. Madilim na, (I could’t find the right pair because it was already dark)“
Paulino was not able to save anything from the fire, just the clothes on his back.
Only a stone wall is left of his home, but still, he is thankful because his wife and children are safe. However, Paulino laments the difficulty of starting anew.
“Kung mayroon makatulong. Ako baldado na ko. [walang perang] maibili ng gamit, (if there is someone that can help. I am already disabled and we have no money to buy clothes)” he adds.
A doctor, several nurses and midwives visited the area to assist residents in need of medical attention. Food and water assistance were also distributed.
“Mayroon nang mga na-high blood, may mga ubo’t sipon, nilalagnat, inuubo. May mga nasugatan (Some [residents] are suffering from high blood pressure, other have colds and fever. Others are injured)” Jocelyn Ledanga, a midwife, said.
As of this writing, the local government has provided more than 10 temporary shelters for the victims. Said shelters can accommodate two to four families each.
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Another resident, Zoraina Mamasalen, is content with the help of the government.
“Okay naman po. Maayos naman po iyong assist ng barangay kapitan po namin, (Things are alright. Our barangay captain is assisting properly)” she said.
Zoraina is among the residents who were able to stay at these temporary shelters. Others, however, are not so lucky.
There are no proper evacuation centers that can accommodate all the residents affected by the fire. Some of them had no choice but to stay in the streets, with nothing to do but wait for help to arrive.
The relief and cash assistance that are meant for these residents, however, were taken by individuals posing as victims of the fire.
Barangay Captain, Boy Tanyag said financial assistance range from P1,000 to P2,000 or more. But there are individuals who list themselves as victims in order to avail of these aid.
“Isang pamilya lang. Nagpapalista limang tao. (In one family, there are five individuals who register)” he said.
The BFP continues investigation on the cause of fire. They said it might be due to problems in the power lines.
Meanwhile, the government continues to call for aid to help the victims rebuild their lives.—Aileen Cerrudo (with reports from Mai Bermudez)
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