SENATOR Win Gatchalian called on the government to fast-track its housing program that would help address congestion in urban areas, noting that fire incidents usually affect heavily congested areas.
Gatchalian made the call as he donated sacks of rice to three separate areas in Manila and Paranaque recently affected by fire incidents. Gatchalian provided a total of P537,500 worth of rice to the fire victims.
According to the senator, urban areas usually attract labor workers searching for jobs, leading to house densification, particularly in poor communities. In the process, the congestion of houses in such communities increases the risk of fire incidents.
Recipients of food relief provided by Gatchalian include residents in Barangay 598 in Sta. Mesa, Manila where a fire broke out last February 21, destroying around 100 houses and displacing 300 families. A total of 165 sacks of rice, worth P206,250 were donated by Gatchalian. Victims of a separate fire incident in Barangay 301 in Sampaloc, Manila that took place last January 31 also received from Gatchalian 100 sacks of rice, worth P125,000. He also provided 165 sacks of rice, worth P206,250 to victims of a fire incident in Barangay San Isidro in Paranaque City last February 27. About 300 families were displaced by the fire in the area, according to news reports.
“Madalas nang nangyayari ang sunog sa mga lugar kung saan maraming nakatira at dikit-dikit ang mga bahay. Upang mapababa ang panganib na maraming madamay sa sunog, mahalagang maisakatuparan ng pamahalaan ang epektibong programa ng pabahay para sa mga residente ng ganitong lugar,” Gatchalian emphasized.
President Marcos has earlier committed to provide a safe, quality and comfortable housing program in the country.
According to Gatchalian, unsuitable structural design as well as unsafe practices involving electricity make such areas highly prone to fire incidents. Also, limited access by firefighters usually hampers efforts to put out fire incidents, he said.
