March 28, 2024
Communities bring comfort to one another: Fire relief at Brgy. Damayang Lagi
By Dorothy Castro
Tzu Chi Foundation comforted beneficiaries who were affected by two recent fire incidents at Barangay Damayang Lagi, Quezon City. The first fire incident took place last March 19, and the second happened at a nearby area last March 25.
On the morning of March 27, Tzu Chi volunteers and scholars visited residents of Barangay Damayang Lagi, bringing with them essential relief goods such as food, cooking pans, utensils, sleeping mats and blankets, undergarments, and toiletries. Overall, 271 families received relief goods.
Barangay Secretary Nette Sumalinog shared the details of the fire: “Almost all the affected families were not able to save anything but themselves. We reassured them that these things such as money, are things that can be replaced. There were no casualties, no lives lost during the fire. However, not even a week after the fire happened, another fire took place at 13th Street.”
Enrica Allam of 13th Street recalled the day of the incident and how her two children were napping after they had gotten home from school. Enrica’s concern during the fire incident was focused on keeping her children safe. Unfortunately, one of them had a minor injury after falling down the stairs as they left the area and received first aid treatment. She remained hopeful and said that “We have not yet recovered as the fire only happened recently. We are slowly recovering, hopefully in the coming days, we will.”
For Erlinda San Gaspar, help from the community aided her in saving what she could from the fire. “When I found out that there was a fire at Isla Noah, I ran very fast. I ran so fast that I could not feel any exhaustion, so I was able to retrieve some of the things from our house.” Erlinda shared her appreciation for their community, and how people from nearby streets ran to help them gather their things and help put out the fire.
Erlinda knew it was going to be a difficult recovery after the fire. She expressed her worries about having to start again but was relieved and grateful for how Tzu Chi Foundation provided them with the things they need for their beginning. She was thankful for how Tzu Chi consistently provided their support to communities in need.
“We’ve often heard about Tzu Chi in many places, especially in Marikina and Antipolo, as we have met some of the members of Tzu Chi in the past,” Enrica explained. She shared how Tzu Chi has always been present in helping beneficiaries after disasters.
Receiving her relief goods and grocery gift check, Enrica expressed her heartfelt gratitude, saying, “I would like to thank Tzu Chi Foundation for the relief goods we received, these will be a great help for us. Thank you very much.”
Many damaged materials lay after the fire incident at Barangay Damayang Lagi, Quezon City.【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Beneficiaries from the fire incidents last March 19 and 25 currently stay in the evacuation center.【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi volunteers and scholars prepare for the registration process during the fire relief. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Each Tzu Chi volunteer identifies beneficiaries who will be receiving relief goods. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Relief goods arrive at Barangay Damayang Lagi, Quezon City. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi volunteers talk to beneficiaries as they give out the stubs for the relief goods. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Each family affected by the fires received a 10-kg sack of rice from Tzu Chi. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi volunteers and scholars unpack the relief goods for distribution. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Volunteers and members of the community at Barangay Damayang Lagi unload relief goods for distribution. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Enrica Allam, a beneficiary of the fire relief, waves her relief goods stubs in the air before distribution. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Residents of Barangay Damayang Lagi, Quezon City, cheer as they discuss the distribution of relief goods. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
A Tzu Chi volunteer participates in prayer for Barangay Damayang Lagi, Quezon City. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
A beneficiary of the fire relief wholeheartedly participates in prayer. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Beneficiaries line up as they receive their relief goods from Tzu Chi. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Rice, food, cooking pans, utensils, sleeping mats and blankets, undergarments, and toiletries are among the relief goods received by Barangay Damayang Lagi residents affected by the recent fires. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】