Press Release
June 25, 2014

Fire victims should be automatic beneficiaries of 4Ps or CCT program
Cayetano pushes for comprehensive, quick
response program for victims of calamities

Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter "Companero" S. Cayetano today asked the national government to play an increased role in responding to calamities, pushing for a comprehensive and quick program for Filipino families affected, especially by fire incidents.

"Dapat gawing komprehensibo ang programa ng gobyerno. Hindi lang papatak-patak. Feeling kasi ng mga kababayan nating nasusunugan, parang sinasabihan sila ng national government na bahala na sila sa buhay nila," Cayetano said.

"Sa mga nasunugan, bakit hindi gawing automatic na gawing miyembro sila ng 4Ps o kaya CCT para meron silang isang libo buwan-buwan para maalalayan ang bata?"

Victims of fire incidents are usually given cash assistance ranging from P2,500 to P5,000 per family by local government units (LGUs).

"May sari-saring programa ang gobyerno pero hindi siya integrated at hindi mabilis. Panay umaasa kasi ang mga pamilya sa local government tulad na lang sa Davao, Cebu City, Zamboanga City, at Caloocan," Cayetano said.

The senator had visited families victimized by fire incidents across the country to provide financial aid, and burial assistance in areas where fatalities are recorded, the last of which was fire victims in Caloocan and Malabon.

Cayetano said the Department of Social and Welfare Development (DSWD) should be the first to provide aid to victims of fire cases.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection, at least 482 fire incidents were recorded in the first two months of 2014 in Metro Manila alone.

Cayetano previously filed Senate Bill No. 1940 creating an "Emergency Response Department" that will be headed by a person with a rank of Cabinet Secretary. The proposed department will be completely focused on disaster preparedness 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.

"Kaya nga sinusulong natin sa Senado na magkaroon ng Emergency Response Department kasi sa ngayon, hindi nalalaman ng mga kababayan natin maging ng local government kung NDRRMC ba ito, DSWD ba ito, DILG ba ito, ano bang mga iba't ibang ahensyang tutulong," he said.

"Pero kung may isang ahensya na tututok sa lahat ng disaster, siguro may sasaklolo sa kanila na responsible at mabilis."

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