TRAGEDY. Three died, including a two-year-old, when a large tree fell on houses erected on a danger zone along the Estero de Magdalena creek in Binondo, Manila before dawn Thursday (May 18, 2023). The Bureau of Fire Protection has been ordered to investigate the collapse while the affected families are staying in a temporary shelter while waiting for their relocation. (Courtesy of Manila-PIO)
MANILA – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has been ordered to investigate the collapse of houses along the Estero de Magdalena creek in Binondo, Manila before dawn Thursday, killing three.
A tree fell on the illegal structures, causing the collapse and the death of three, including a two-year-old.
In a statement on Friday, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said he directed the BFP to submit its report and recommendations as soon as possible to his office to prevent similar incidents.
Latest reports from the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) stated nine others were injured in the collapse in Barangay 294.
Aside from the BFP and the MDRRMO, other fire volunteer groups responded and assisted in bringing the affected residents to safer grounds.
“Nakikiramay tayo sa mga kaanak ng mga biktima ng trahedyang ito. Gayundin, nananawagan tayo sa mga lokal na opisyal na siguruhin ang pagpapaabot ng tulong sa mga naapektuhan at gawin ang lahat upang hindi na masundan o maulit ang trahedyang ito (We condole with the family of the victims of this tragedy. We also call on local officials to ensure that the affected residents are provided with assistance, and to do everything to make sure that similar tragedies of this nature do not happen again),’’ Abalos said.
Eight families were directly affected while about 40 reside in the danger zone.
They will be provided temporary shelters, food and financial assistance until they are permanently relocated to a target site in Cavite province.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan told GMA News the relocation, previously under the Pasig River Rehab Commission and then transferred to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, was delayed due to the pandemic.
The DILG commended the BFP and the MRRDMO for their immediate response to the incident.
"Dahil sa inyong mabilis na aksyon, agad nabigyan ng karampatang lunas ang mga biktima at naisalba ang mga na-trap na residente (Because of your quick action, the victims were immediately provided with appropriate treatment and the trapped residents were rescued)," said Abalos. (PNA)
