StyleBible.ph

I got word of the huge Navotas fire that happened recently via a text message from my friend Barbie. Barbie happens to be married to Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco. I asked Barbie for an update that I could share with all of you.

“Last August 26, 2010, Thursday at 6:25pm, a raging fire blazed through Barangay Navotas West and Barangay Sipac Almacen. The said fire lasted for 6 hours and turned both communities into rubble and ash in that span of time leaving 1,400 families or roughly 6,000 individuals homeless.

The people affected are informal settlers living along the coast of Manila Bay. A majority of their homes are made of the humblest of materials and rest on stilts over the coast. They all live in constant danger cause of regular typhoons there and they are in constant risk of fire due to the tight living accommodations as well as a lack of space for even the smallest fire trucks to have access to.

Since the tragedy, these people are temporarily living in the Navotas Sports Complex and two public schools within the vicinity of the city hall compound. In an ideal situation, the victims should relocate to a safer environment but the city government currently doesn’t have the capacity to do so.

Lots of work and community rebuilding ahead.”

Some pictures to show you the aftermath of said fire:

1,400 Navotas families lost their homes last Thursday

Mud and rubble where Navotas families used to live

Evacuees taking temporary shelter at the Navotas Sports Complex

Almost 6,000 people rendered homeless

This woman survived the fire, but not without injury Many more survivors like her are in need of food, water, clothing and medicine.

I call this Interactive Sunday Reading because, perhaps, you would be inspired to take action and make a contribution, spread the word – yes, even a ‘retweet’ will make a difference.

The relocated families are in dire need of food, water, clothing and medicine. Kindly contact Pat Agcaoli via 09219882565 or just drop off your donations at the Navotas City Hall, M. Naval Street, Sipac.

May your Sunday be one of generosity.

<3,

KT