The Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD – NCR) provides 200 food & non-food items for the victims of the fire incident from Barangay Marulas, Lawang Bato and Ugong in Valenzuela City.

According to DSWD – NCR Regional Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan, “the DSWD Field Office NCR shall provide services according to its mandate to help the vulnerable victims get back to their feet and start anew.” Initially, the DSWD-NCR has provided 200 food items for the fire victims. The DSWD – NCR will also provide other assistance such as psycho-social interventions, among others.

The composition of the food packs are six (6) kilograms of NFA rice, four (4) cans of sardines, three (3) cans of corned beef, three (3) cans of meatloaf, two (2) cans of tuna, four (4) sachets of oatmeal and seven (7) sachets of instant coffee. On the other hand, the non-food items will either be plastic mats or blankets.

In order to provide other possible interventions, the DSWD-NCR coordinated with the local government unit of Valenzuela, through its City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO). During the coordination meeting, the CSWDO-Valenzuela expressed the need for transportation assistance for the relatives of the deceased victims from the province in order to facilitate the identification of the bodies of their loved ones.

For this, the DSWD-NCR shall coordinate with other DSWD field offices for the provision of transportation assistance for the families and relatives of the deceased victims coming from the provinces. After which, the DSWD-NCR will also provide transportation assistance to the families and relatives in going back to their residence in the province after they settle their concerns on the burial of their loved ones.

As per validation of the social workers, there are five (5) individuals who are included in different family rosters of Pantawid Pamilya program in Valenzuela City. Further, they will conduct continuous assessment and provide assistance. Also, the possibility of providing livelihood assistance for the bereaved families is being explored, depending on their needs.