According to Mayor Lito Atienza, the amount would be used to fund the construction of homes for the victims, mostly residents of Barangay Bagong Lupa.
The fund was raised in a benefit dinner that marked Atienza’s 36th wedding anniversary at the posh Manila Hotel.
"We were really touched by this gesture, this makes our 36th anniversary really meaningful as it gave other people monthly friends of ours an opportunity to share their blessings with less fortunate Manileños," said Atienza.
According to Atienza, the money raised would be used to build new homes for 500 families, each receiving a seed fund of P15,000. It would be recalled that 1,500 families were left homeless by the Baseco Compound fire. In addition to the seed fund, fire victims would also be allowed free use of hollow block making machines.
Atienza said that the construction of the new homes would be done under a "bayanihan" system wherein the beneficiaries themselves will be building their own houses with help from volunteers from the private and public sectors. The city government has also provided a blueprint that would be used as the guide by the beneficiaries. – Mike Frialde