Report: Sanitation, drinking water woes hound Navotas fire victims

Problems of poor sanitation and the lack of drinking water are hounding more than 200 families temporarily housed at a public school after a fire hit their neighborhood in Navotas City last weekend. A report of radio dzBB’s Glen Juego on Wednesday said these problems have forced the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to look for alternate evacuation centers for the families. DSWD Metro Manila head Alicia Bonoan said only two comfort rooms are available for more than 200 families temporarily staying the San Roque National High School. Bonoan said her office may ask concerned citizens to donate drinking water as the school does not have enough supply for the families. She added that they are looking for alternate evacuation sites for the families because the classes at the school have been disrupted. An earlier dzBB report said the school’s authorities are studying options on how to accommodate the affected families without disrupting the students’ class schedule. Since the fire on January 29, more than 300 families had been staying at the school and at a nearby chapel. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said at least 100 houses made of light and semi-concrete materials were destroyed in the fire. In its January 30 report, the NDRRMC said the fire displaced some 366 families (or 1,830 people), who were housed at San Roque National High School and Adela Chapel. At least 12 people were killed, including: