Press Release - 300 fire victims get calamity assistance from Cayetanos

"Magsisilbing panimula po ito sa mga residenteng nasunugan. Magagamit nila ito upang makapagpatayo ng munting bahay at negosyo."

This was the heartfelt message of Pasay City Barangay Kagawad Edward Nacional to Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano whose offices organized a calamity assistance drive for the 47 residents who were displaced by a fire that broke out at a residential area in Malibay, Pasay City on March 8, 2024.

"Salamat po sa ating mga magigiting na senador," Nacional said on behalf of their displaced constituents during the assistance drive on Wednesday, April 3, at Malibay Plaza.

One of the victims, Marites Villa, described the terrifying scene when the fire broke out at 8 in the evening on March 8, 2024.

"Maghahakot sana kami ng gamit kaso sumalubong na sa amin ang ubod na kapal ng usok. Kaya sabi ko sa asawa ko, huwag na kami maghakot, mga papeles na importante na lang. Ang mga gamit madali pa mabili, pero ang buhay natin hindi maibabalik," she said.

Villa said this was why she was thankful that the Cayetanos extended help to them and the other fire victims. "Salamat po dahil may mabibili kaming gamit sa ibinigay ng mga Cayetano," she said.

Also on April 3, 48 Marikina City residents who were victims of a February 18, 2024 fire received calamity assistance from the senators.

Antonio Reyes, one of the displaced residents, said since the fire broke out just before 8 in the morning, most of the families were outside their homes for school or work.

"Kaya walang natira, as in ubos ang mga gamit," a teary-eyed Reyes recounted during the assistance drive at Twinville Civic Center in Marikina City. "Sa ngayon pinipilit namin tanggapin. At least walang nasaktan sa pamilya at mapapalitan ang gamit kahit papaano."

Though the situation was difficult to accept, he said he trusts that God will give him and his family strength to move forward.

"Sa ating Panginoon tayo humuhugot ng lakas para matuloy ang pamumuhay kasi magulo pa isip namin. Nakakawindang. Pero kakayanin po. Hindi naman pwede huminto, tuloy pa rin," Reyes shared.

He added that the assistance he received from the senators would help their family start anew.

"Idadagdag [ko ito sa pambili] kung ano