BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The local government unit of Baguio and the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Cordillera have provided assistance to the affected individuals in a fire that broke out at the Maharlika Livelihood Complex on July 16, 2024.
The LGU provided P84,000 financial assistance to the affected individuals. Meanwhile, the DSWD-CAR under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program provided cash assistance to 14 families.
Six stall owners received P10,000 each while eight workers from the damaged stalls received P5,000 each.
The DSWD-CAR also provided food assistance to the affected individuals, and referred them to the DSWD Sustainable Livelihood Program for other needed assistance, in close coordination with the City Social Welfare and Development Office.
The fire broke out at around 1:00 AM and was declared fire out at 4:20 AM. It destroyed a part of the third floor of the building, specifically eateries, and stalls selling antics and frozen foods.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the Bureau of Fire Protection initially identified the cause of the fire but further investigation is being done before disclosing it, including the cost of damages.
The mayor noted the need to advance the fire equipment in the city to address fire incidents in high-rise buildings.
“Kailangan talaga magkaroon na tayo ng mga malaking fire trucks that will address fire incidents sa high rise buildings,” he said.
Magalong also assured that the fire incident would not affect the rehabilitation plan for the building. He said the timeline will proceed and that by 2025, the city government will take over the facility.
The Maharlika complex is under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture in the Cordillera. (DEG-PIA CAR)
