Customs donates clothes to Mandaue fire victims

The Bureau of Customs has donated 228 bales of seized used clothing to the Department of Social Welfare and Development who will distribute it to the more than 7,000 individuals who are victims of the recent fire in Mandaue City.

Customs commissioner Napoleon Morales who turned over the used clothing to DSWD regional operations officer Vilma Rago also assured that they will be supporting the fire victims in rebuilding their houses through the Gawad Kalinga.

Morales made the assurance in response to sixth district Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz's request for the BOC to also donate construction materials to the fire victims on top of the used clothing that they had just turned over to DSWD.

"Customs is not only revenue-generating we also help people," Morales said.

Ruiz, who also facilitated the donation of the seized used clothing to the DSWD, requested Morales and customs district collector Ricardo Belmonte to also donate any seized construction materials to help the fire victims rebuild their houses.

Ruiz said Gawad Kalinga officials have already promised to build at least 100 houses for the fire victims.

The 228 bales of used clothing are supposed to be donated to Tacloban, but because of Ruiz's request Morales decided to give it to Mandaue fire victims instead.

DSWD officials said they will start sorting out the donated items for repacking so that the distribution will be done immediately.

At least 7,000 individuals comprising 1,400 families were affected by the six-hour fire that razed almost the entire barangay of Mantuyong and part of the adjacent barangay Guizo. One person identified as Jose Araneta was killed during the incident while a fireman and a civilian were injured while trying to put out the fire. - Fred P. Languido/BRP