(Photos by K R De Asis, Charlene Santiago, and AJ Acosta/MPIO)
THE Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in an update report Monday said at least seven people were injured and around P300 million were reported damaged in Manila Central Post Office fire.
The BFP said injured persons include firefighters: Fire Officer II Joel Libutan, Fire Officer I Carlo Abrenica, Senior Fire Officer II Julio Erlanda, Fire Officer II Jeremy Roque, and Fire Officer I Josaphat Araña.
Fire volunteer Toto Doslin and civilian Elain Dacoycoy were also hurt.
Their injuries were first-degree burns, swelling and tenderness of muscles, allergic reactions, possible fracture, or laceration, among others.
At least two structures were burned, and their damage cost more or less P300 million, according to the BFP.
In an interview, Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) Postmaster General Luis Carlos said they are looking into indemnity for the burned parcels.
“In the postal union, there is an indemnity that we call,” he said when asked if PHLPost has insurance for the burned parcels.
“We’ll have to get lang the data coming from central mail exchange kung ano yung parcel na nandidito at saka kung ano yung customs items na nandidito din. So we have to get all of those data and we’ll have to work on that one,” he added.
Carlos said the stamps in the museum, the Manila Central Post Office building itself, and their records are among the most valuable things that were destroyed by the fire.
“Yung museum kasi most of the stamps are there, so lahat ng mga artifacts na nakatabi nandodoon lahat. So yun ang mga importante plus the record of the post office for quite some time. Nandyan yan,” he said.
According to him, some copies of the damaged records and stamps are uploaded or kept in other places, such as their office in the Calabarzon-Mimaropa area and the Central Mail Exchange.
“Some of the records have been up in the Cloud. Yung iba naman nakuha namin it’s on a film, and some of those records are in the region, in area 4, in region 4. So meron namang mga natabing records,” he said.
“The main heart of the operations comes from the Central Mail Exchange,” he added.
In the next few days, the Manila Central Post Office operations will be moved to the Foreign Surface Mail Distribution Center (FSMDC) building, according to Carlos.
Manila gov’t to provide assistance to the national heritage site
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan and Vice Mayor Yul Servo-Nieto inspected the fire at Manila Central Post Office on Monday, May 22.
According to Manila Fire Department Fire SSUPT. Christine Doctor-Cula, the fire which reached the general alarm status, is declared fire under control as of 7:22AM.
The City of Manila, through the City Mayor, is in talks with Philippine Post Office through its Postmaster General Hon. Luis Carlos for any assistance the city may provide to the national heritage site.
(Photos by K R De Asis, Charlene Santiago, and AJ Acosta/MPIO)
