Duterte gives food, cash assistance to fire victims near Palace

The President said he was relieved that there was no casualty reported during the fire and promised that the government will provide food to all the affected families while they are adjusting. (PNA PHOTO)

MANILA— President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday night visited victims of the fire that razed a residential area near Malacañang and gave financial and food assistance to the affected families.

The President met with the victims inside the San Miguel Church before flying out to Davao following a series of events at the Palace.

The President said he was relieved that there was no casualty reported during the fire and promised that the government will provide food to all the affected families while they are adjusting.

“We will ask the DSWD to provide food everyday habang nag-a-adjust kayo. Basta araw-araw, hanggang nag-a-adjust adjust kayo, kami ang magpakain,” Duterte told the fire victims.

He said the food packs that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will provide contains six kilos of rice, three cans of corned beef, three cans of meatloaf, six sachets of three-in-one coffee and bottled water.

The victims will also be provided with blankets and sleeping mats. The President also pledged to provide PHP 5,000 per family.

The President then proceeded to have a group picture with the fire victims before leaving.

The pre-dawn fire that razed at least 100 houses along Sikat Street in San Miguel, Manila left hundreds of families homeless.

They are presently staying along J.P. Laurel Street inside the Malacañang compound.