Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. has ordered an investigation on the collapse of squatter shanties along the Estero de Magdalena in Binondo, Manila, killing three persons including a two years old baby.
Abalos directed the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFD) to conduct the probe.
A tree fell on the illegal structures, causing the collapse and the death of the trio, including a two-year-old child.
In a statement, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said he directed the BFP to submit its report and recommendations to his office as soon as possible.
Latest reports from the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) stated nine others were injured in the incident.
Aside from the BFP and the MDRRMO, other fire volunteer groups responded and assisted in bringing the victims to safer grounds.
“We condole with the family of the victims of this tragedy. We also call on local officials to ensure that the affected residents are provided with assistance, and to do everything to make sure that similar tragedies of this nature do not happen again,’’ Abalos said.
Eight families were directly affected while about 40 people reside in the danger zone.
They will be provided temporary shelters, food and financial assistance until they are permanently relocated to a target site in Cavite province.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan said the relocation, previously under the Pasig River Rehab Commission and then transferred to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, was delayed due to the pandemic.
The DILG commended the BFP and the MRRDMO for their immediate response to the incident.
“Dahil sa inyong mabilis na aksyon, agad nabigyan ng karampatang lunas ang mga biktima at naisalba ang mga na-trap na residente (Because of your quick action, the victims were immediately provided with appropriate treatment and the trapped residents were rescued),” Abalos said.