Photo courtesy from PTV

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) approximately estimates that 500 homes were engulfed by the fire that started at 2:18 AM on Thursday in Barangays Pagkakaisa and Bagong Silang in the Quito area of Puerto Princesa, Palawan. The BFP received the distress call at 2:25 AM on Thursday and the fire was declared under control at 4:56 AM.

The estimated damage caused by the fire is around 3.5 million pesos. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident.

Meanwhile, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez swiftly allocated 35 million pesos in government assistance to aid over 950 families affected by the blaze.

Acting as the caretaker of the 3rd district of Palawan, following the passing of Rep. Edward Hagedorn in October 2023, Speaker Romualdez is collaborating with the Local Government Unit of Puerto Princesa to ensure efficient and timely support.

The Speaker's office, in coordination with the DSWD and other relevant agencies, is actively working to expedite aid distribution. This assistance, amounting to PHP 10,000 per affected family, is being provided through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).