Taguig: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has sent its initial assistance to the local government of Taguig for families and individuals affected by the fire that broke out in Barangay Sta. Ana on Monday afternoon.

According to Philippines News Agency, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD's Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) reported on Tuesday that the department had dispatched immediate assistance to Taguig's local government to support the families severely affected by the blaze, which escalated to the fifth alarm. Secretary Rex Gatchalian instructed DSWD Field Office - National Capital Region Regional Director Michael Joseph Lorico to oversee the situation and promptly provide the support requested by the local government unit (LGU) of Taguig.

Based on the report from FO-NCR, 700 family food packs (FFPs) and 700 ready-to-eat food (RTEF) boxes were picked up on Tuesday morning. Dumlao stated that the DSWD is prepared to offer additional assistance, including sleeping kits, kitchen kits, and other non-food items.

The initial report indicates that 684 families, or 2,309 individuals, have been affected by the fire incident. At the Taguig Integrated School evacuation center, 69 families or 233 individuals are temporarily housed at the Tinga Building, while 118 families or 425 individuals are at the Junior High School Cayetano Building.

"In line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure that calamity-affected individuals receive prompt assistance, the DSWD continues to coordinate with the LGU to address the needs of the affected residents," Dumlao added.