AT least 500 fire victims, following three separate fire incidents here, had a pleasant New Year’s Eve as Representative Paolo Duterte, through the Pulong Pulong ni Pulong (PPP) Program, treated them with more than 20 roasted pigs (lechon baboy) and other special meals on Saturday, December 31.
The event started in Barangay Leon Garcia in Agdao of the second district at 4 p.m. The PPP staff distributed food packs and cash assistance to the fire victims – 133 owners, 165 sharers, 44 renters, and 34 boarders and caretakers. The fire victims also received hot porridge earlier.
Rep. Duterte’s team then prepared 20 roasted pigs and other viands (chicken barbecue, roasted fish, and bihon or rice vermicelli) with cooked rice and ice cream for dessert for the fire victims’ New Year’s Eve. They also received new clothes, including the children.
56-year-old Ma. Eliza Paylado, a resident of Leon Garcia, could not help but express her profound gratitude to the lawmaker, as she did not expect to have such a lovely New Year’s Eve celebration after what happened. She narrated that she was with her grandchild when the fire spread quickly.
“I am more than grateful that nobody got hurt in my family – my wife and my three children. We lost things, but what matters most is that we are together to celebrate this wonderful treat from Congressman Pulong for New Year’s Eve,” Breliangean Bayocboc, 29, of the same barangay, said in an interview.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection in Davao Region (BFP-Davao), at least 300 houses were gutted by fire on December 27, Wednesday, leaving around 800 individuals homeless. The cause of the incident was due to an electrical eruption from an overheated appliance.
Leon Garcia chieftain Lita Empis thanked Rep. Duterte for the support and delicious meal for the fire victims’ New Year’s Eve celebration. She said seeing them welcoming the New Year with hopeful anticipation is heartwarming.
Rep. Duterte’s team then went to San Francisco De Asis Village in Barangay 74-A Matina Crossing, distributing immediate assistance to over 100 fire victims. The fire razed 17 houses in the village on December 31, Saturday morning.
The fire victims in the village also received food packs – 17 owners, two sharers, 17 renters, and eight boarders. The staff distributed hot porridge and new clothes to them. They will also receive cash aid this week.
The PPP staff also prepared seven roasted pigs and other viands (chicken barbecue, roasted fish, and bihon or rice vermicelli) with cooked rice and ice cream for dessert for New Year’s Eve.
The lawmaker immediately assisted the fire victims at Purok 33, Ramon Magsaysay, Calinan, on January 1. The fire razed three houses and a commercial building at around 1:30 a.m., affecting around seven families. The latter will receive cash aid today, January 2.
Rep. Duterte, wishing everyone safe and sound health, expressed his regret towards the victims because he could not come to visit them in the New Year’s Eve celebration. He said he intended to go with his staff and personally see them but had a prior commitment with his family.
