The Office of Civil Defense – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OCD-BARMM) is sending 264 family packs to the victims of a fire incident that occurred last week in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.
“Our OCD Regional Office in BARMM is sending family packs to the fire victims in Tawi-Tawi. This is in support of the assistance coming from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). As always, rest assured that we will continue to provide assistance that will be needing from us. Our coordination and monitoring of the situation are ongoing.” said Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, Civil Defense Administrator.
To respond quickly during emergencies in the island provinces including Tawi-Tawi, OCD-BARMM has been prepositioning relief items in Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) located in Zamboanga del Sur.
Meanwhile, DSWD-Field Office Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Director Riduan Hadjimuddin reached out to OCD Zamboanga Peninsula, requesting for the logistical support for the transportation of relief items.
It can be recalled that DSWD Zamboanga has jurisdiction over Tawi-Tawi and Sulu. In a letter sent to OCD Region 9, DSWD Field Office 9 Director Hadjimuddin said that the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) already provided initial assistance to the affected families.
As relief augmentation, DSWD 9 and OCD-BARMM are sending food and non-food items to the victims who are currently inside the evacuation centers in Salamat Elementary School and Tawi-Tawi School of Fisheries.
“OCD – Zamboanga Peninsula or OCD 9 is also on board to provide logistical support to OCD BARMM and DSWD Field Office 9 for the transportation of goods. The 264 family packs from OCD-BARMM prepositioned in Zamboanga and the relief items from DSWD 9 are now being delivered to the fire victims in Tawi-Tawi via LC 298 sea craft.” Usec. Nepomuceno added.
Each OCD’s family pack contains a family hygiene kit, sleeping kit, kitchenware and dinnerware.
No deaths have been reported from the incident however two individuals were left injured. A total of 243 houses were reportedly damaged.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Authorities declared the fire incident out around 5 p.m.
