MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte extended cash assistance to victims displaced by a fire in Jolo, Sulu and vowed to provide the local government with additional fire trucks.
Duterte said the victims will receive PHP 15,000 financial support with housing and other construction materials.
“So, magpadala ako ng mga yero dito. Makumpleto ko ‘yan. Magpadala ako (So I will send iron sheets. I will complete that. I will send them),” Duterte said in his speech in Jolo on Friday.
The local social welfare office also provided PHP 1,000 for each family.
Duterte added that he will soon provide Jolo with four additional fire trucks.
“Maghanap ako ng bagong malalaking apat na [truck]. August ‘yan, August. Apat na malalaking truck (I will look for four new trucks. That will be in August. Four big trucks),” he said.
Data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) showed that at least 3,313 families were affected by the fire.
Meanwhile, Duterte also visited military officers injured during encounters against members of the AbuSayyaf Group earlier this month, at Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital.
He personally awarded Cpl. Dixon Aplahal, Cpl. Larkin Lumacad, Cpl. Binjakar Ajak, Cpl. Bernardo Cortiz, Pfc. Reynard Baynos, Pfc. John Jusay, and Pvt. Brix Cojo the Order of Lapu-Lapu, Kampilan Medals.
The Kampilan Medal is awarded to officials and personnel of the government and private individuals who were seriously wounded or injured or suffered great loss of property as a direct result of their participation in an activity pursuant to a campaign or advocacy of the President. (Azer Parrocha/PNA)
