December 6, 2024
Recovery after loss: Tzu Chi conducts fire relief in Isla Puting Bato
By Arvin Yanga
When your home turns into ruins, and you have little to no resources, where do you find the strength to start again?
Amid the challenging weather conditions on December 4, Tzu Chi provided essential relief items and a 10-kilogram sack of rice to each of the 1,932 affected families in the sprawling community of Isla Puting Bato, Barangay 20, Tondo, Manila.
The help is a lifeline in the wake of a massive fire that broke out from the second floor of a residence in Purok (District) 3 less than two weeks ago, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection’s report. The blaze, with its origins still unknown, accelerated swiftly, fanned by strong winds. At least 32 fire trucks were deployed to douse the burning site, leaving zero casualties but rendering 2,000 families homeless, according to Rappler.
“The exit point was congested; it was impossible to get out through the street,” said Eduardo Carabaña, a 59-year-old former truck driver and fire victim. Prioritizing the safety of his ailing wife and 11-month-old grandchild, he escaped through the seaside area, narrowly avoiding the engulfing flames.
Like many in the community, Mary Grace Enano, 29, was scared when her husband knocked on their door, yelling about a fire. She rushed to save her two kids ages 10 and 2, and initially zoned out while looking helplessly at their burned-down home. “We don't know how to start over,” she said, her voice shaking.
Teresita Borbon, 66, a garlic peeler earning Php 100 per sack, was coming home from church with her relatives, when she witnessed the fire’s destruction. “It's very tough to be a fire victim," she uttered, her voice a mix of sorrow and resilience, "yet I'm thankful to God that we're still complete and safe.”
Despite the heart-wrenching circumstances, these fire survivors, who have been living in the residential area for decades, found hope in survival. Their resilience was strengthened by the relief goods from Tzu Chi, transforming the gray remains of destruction into a canvas of compassion.
Eighty-three Tzu Chi volunteers and staff, alongside 34 government personnel including barangay staff and police officers, emerged as beacons of hope for the affected residents of Isla Puting Bato.
They distributed comprehensive relief packages: representatives from each affected family took home a 10-kilogram rice sack accompanied by essential items including a bundle of clothes, hair conditioner, shampoo, body wash, detergent bar, laundry bleach, cooking oil, salt, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, a wok, a ladle, spoons, forks, plates, and drinking cups.
“I hope you will continue to help people like us who suffer from disasters,” Enano said, gratitude evident in her voice as she received the relief items.
Borbon, fighting back tears, added, “I will never forget what you are doing for us.”
Driven by compassion that transcended the challenging circumstances, Tzu Chi volunteers and staff persevered. They withstood extreme heat to provide aid to 307 families in Purok 1, 756 families in Purok 2, and 869 families in Purok 3.
“Thank you, Tzu Chi Foundation. Heaven sent you to us,” proclaimed Anthony Igus, chairman of Barangay 20, acknowledging the foundation's consistent support during fire incidents in Isla Puting Bato. “The foundation gave us such a generous relief package, family members almost couldn’t carry the items. They eased their stress and sorrow.”
As of this writing, there are relocation efforts being planned to ensure a safe shelter for the residents of Isla Puting Bato. Having survived previous fires, most families would rather stay put, rebuild their homes, and continue living in their congested and fire-prone community, than start over in a new location with limited job opportunities.
Chairman Igus hopes to end this vicious cycle that poses a huge risk to people’s lives. “I will do my best in encouraging the residents of Isla Puting Bato to relocate themselves in the housing site that will be built by the national government,” he promised.
Around 8 a.m. on November 24, the enormous fire engulfed homes in the congested community of Isla Puting Bato, in Tondo, Manila. (Photo by Manila DRRM Office).
The fire was declared out after nearly eight hours, and the blaze left a scene of massive destruction. (Photo by GMA News Online)
Tzu Chi begins the stub distribution early in the morning to the affected residents in Isla Puting Bato, Barangay 20, Tondo, Manila.
With collective efforts from Tzu Chi volunteers, staff, scholars, and local officials, the relief operation runs smoothly.
Tolerating the extreme heat, Tzu Chi volunteers collect the information of the residents on a masterlist before giving out two stubs: one for relief items and one for a 10-kilogram sack of rice.
Ensuring everyone will receive help, a Tzu Chi volunteer and staff verify those affected residents whose names are not included on the list.
A Tzu Chi volunteer and staff unload the sacks of items from the truck.
After the sacks of items have been delivered, a Tzu Chi volunteer arranges them in an orderly manner to guarantee a smooth distribution of items.
Tzu Chi volunteers perform the sign language of “One Family” and encourage the beneficiaries to hold the hands of their seatmates, indicating that no one should feel alone in the aftermath of the fire.
Fire victims pray for a world free from disaster.
With different backgrounds, each resident of Isla Puting Bato shares a common ground: a strong faith in the Lord Almighty, and the belief that they can overcome everything, even disasters like fire, with His help.
Tzu Chi does not only give relief items but a hope as well to the fire survivors of Isla Puting Bato.
Beneficiaries line up as they claim essential items including clothing, personal hygiene products, cooking supplies, basic kitchenware, and a 10-kg sack of rice.
A Tzu Chi volunteer puts cooking oil inside the pail of the beneficiary.
Tzu Chi volunteers distribute condiments and cooking essentials to the beneficiaries.
Barangay 20 Chairman Anthony Igus joins Tzu Chi volunteers in distributing relief items to the affected residents.
Tzu Chi restores the spark in the lifeless eyes of a 59-year-old former truck driver, Eduardo Carabaña. “We don’t have anything like this; we have nothing left. This is such a huge help. All of us are grateful to Tzu Chi, especially me,” he says.
From overwhelming sadness to glee, 66-year-old garlic peeler Teresita Borbon’s smile is priceless after she receives her relief items. “I’m truly grateful. We don’t have to buy anything; everything is already here. Thank you,” Borbon says.
“For my children, we have to rise up from the situation,” said an emotional Mary Grace Enano, 29. She views her children as her source of strength to keep going, and with the relief items she receives from Tzu Chi, the path to recovery after loss begins.
For Tzu Chi, this might be the most fulfilling reward to witness from a beneficiary—their sincere smiles full of hope.
For Tzu Chi, this might be the most fulfilling reward to witness from a beneficiary—their sincere smiles full of hope.
For Tzu Chi, this might be the most fulfilling reward to witness from a beneficiary—their sincere smiles full of hope.
Tzu Chi volunteers appreciate the time and effort given by the happy volunteers, who are determined to carry heavy boxes and goods containing the relief items.
As everyone took cover from an unexpected downpour, this Tzu Chi volunteer stayed to shield a portrait of Tzu Chi founder Dharma Master Cheng Yen with an umbrella.
Tzu Chi volunteers, staff, interns, and scholars wrapped up a successful eight-hour fire relief operation at Isla Puting Bato, Barangay 20, Tondo, Manila, providing relief to 1,932 displaced families.