The fire, which broke out on Sunday, February 8, displaced at least 43 families in the coastal community. Initial records showed that those affected included 26 homeowners, 12 sharers, and four renters.
Rep. Paolo Duterte, together with his team and the staff of the Office of Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte II, distributed food packs, mineral water, hot porridge, and packed lunches to address the immediate needs of the affected families. The meals will be provided for seven days.
Families also received kitchen essentials such as frying pans, cooking pots, kettles, and other basic cooking items, as well as bags containing bath towels, undergarments, and blankets.
To support displaced children, organizers held a “pahalipay” activity that included snacks and a magic show. School supplies were likewise distributed to affected students.
In his message to the fire victims, Rep. Duterte committed to providing school uniforms and shoes to help students return to school, assuring residents of continued assistance from his office.
“Kung unsa inyong kinahanglan, naa akong mga staff. Sampit lang mo. Andam mi mutabang kung unsa man ang inyong gikinahanglan. Naa pud ang Office of the Vice Mayor ug ang PPP Party-list office nga maduolan,” Duterte said.
He also reminded residents to remain vigilant and prioritize fire safety to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The PPP Party-list further extended assistance by distributing large water jugs filled with potable water to displaced families.
Earlier, on Monday, February 9, Liga ng mga Barangay President and Davao City Councilor January Duterte separately led the distribution of food packs to the same 43 affected families.
Barangay Matina Aplaya Captain Nestor Cirunay expressed gratitude to Rep. Paolo Duterte and the Duterte family for the timely assistance provided to residents of Punta Dumalag.
The fire reportedly started at around 10:05 a.m. near a beach resort in Punta Dumalag. Authorities have yet to determine the official cause of the incident as of this writing.
Meanwhile, the First Congressional District Office also extended immediate relief assistance, including food packs, water, and other essentials, to at least 57 families affected by a separate fire in Malambuon, Ecoland, Barangay 76-A Bucana, on Tuesday.
The fire in Bucana, which broke out on Monday, February 9, displaced families, including 40 homeowners, five sharers, six renters, five boarders, and one caretaker. Authorities are likewise investigating the cause of the incident.