Ensuring that they will have decent shelter by Christmas, Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada has again distributed free construction materials to over 100 Manileños who lost their homes in two separate fires in Paco and San Miguel.
Estrada, ever the empathetic city mayor, said he cannot have any of these displaced spend Christmas in makeshift shelters or evacuation facilities.
“Christmas is that time of the year that reminds us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves—and that is to give help to those who are in need,” Estrada said during the ceremonial distribution of construction supplies in Barangay 645, Zone 67 in San Miguel District.
A total of 435 families were left homeless in the September 16 fire that hit a part of the depressed community situated near Malacanang and destroyed 46 houses, according to Barangay Chairman Jerry Bolante.
Each family received 35 pieces of assorted lumber, 10 pieces of plywood, 10 pieces of iron sheets, and four kilos of assorted nails.
Estrada then proceeded to Barangay 684, Zone 74 in Paco to also distribute building materials to another group of 133 families affected by a huge fire on October 29. They have been staying at the barangay covered court since then.
The Manila Department of Social Welfare and Development said an initial batch of 104 families from the two barangays received free construction supplies that they can use to rebuild their destroyed houses.
“This is Mayor Erap’s early Christmas gift to them,” MDSW chief Nanet Tanyag said.
“We’re hoping that before Christmas, they have rebuilt their houses,” she added, saying the city government can even dispatch workers to help the displaced families.
Last October, Estrada visited Barangay 770, Zone 84 in San Andres Bukid and turned over P2.1 million worth of construction materials to 71 families rendered homeless by another fire on September 5.
The city mayor also visited Barangay 704, Zone 77 in Adriatico last September to personally distribute construction materials to 102 families who lost their homes in yet another fire on Aug. 18.
