200 to 300 families displaced after Navotas fire

Around 200 to 300 families were displaced after a fire ravaged their homes in Barangay Bagumbayan, Navotas City on Monday, according to a report of Bam Alegre on GMA News’ Unang Balita on Tuesday.

Affected residents stayed at the San Ildefonso Parish, Navotas Centennial Park—which was used as COVID-19 facility — and some schools.

Five people died and two were hurt due to the fire which reached the Task Force Alpha alarm. Among the fatalities was a mother who went back into the house for two other family members.

The Bureau of Fire Protection identified the fatalities as Teresa Lopez, 40 years old; Thirdy Lopez, 2; Darlene Baluyot, 19; Asuncion Tongco Gonzales, 50; and Diorella Gonzales, 18.

Injured individuals were Carlos Solidan, 51, who sustained laceration on the head, and Josefina Sarate, 64, who sustained a wound on right elbow.

Some residents said they were not able to save their belongings and their businesses were also destroyed by the fire.

“Hindi ko pa alam kung paano kami babangon pati tindahan ko nasunog e. Walang natira sa amin (I don't know yet how we can recover. Even my store was also burned. Nothing was left to us),” victim Sylvia Buenaventura said.

“Talagang katawan lang ho ang nailabas (We were only able to save our bodies),” Teresita Rosales said.

The fire started at 3:58 p.m. and was declared out at 9:22 p.m.

Responders had a hard time putting out the fire because of the narrow roads and the water supply interruption in the area. 

Cash assistance

Meanwhile, House Speaker Martin Romualdez of Leyte turned over P5 million in cash assistance for the victims of the Navotas fire on Tuesday.

“Initially, we have raised P5 million in cash, but this is on top of the in kind aid we will be giving to them such as rice and canned goods to help our brothers and sisters in Navotas who lost their loved ones and their homes,” Romualdez said.

“We would like to make sure that the House of Representatives is making an effort to provide relief. Kapag may sakuna, kalamidad, tulad ng sunog, dapat agad na naroon po tayo [para tumulong],” he added.

(When calamity strikes like fire, we should be immediately there for our people.)

Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco thanked Romualdez for the assistance. 

“We really appreciate it, Mr. Speaker, given that around 411 families lost their homes. Napakalaking tulong (It is such a big help), thank you very much,” Tiangco said.  —Joviland Rita and Llanesca Panti/KG/VBL, GMA Integrated News