Fire victims see a bleak future on Valentine’s Day

A week after fire razed their shanties, nearly 2,000 families along Agham Road in Quezon City spent Valentine’s Day in makeshift tents, entertaining thoughts of uncertainty and dim prospects about their future. “Malungkot ang Valentine’s namin ngayon (Our Valentine’s is depressing this time)," said Myrna Ahob, 37, whose home went down in ashes like those of 1,750 other families. The numbers came from the Quezon City Social Services Development Department. Fire razed their community Tuesday last week. Ahob told GMA News their community of informal settlers used to make it a point in previous years to celebrate Valentine’s Day by going out with their loved ones, among other things. “Eh ngayon, wala, eh, zero lahat (Now, nothing. Everything is zero)," she said. Ahob added that like her neighbors, she and her family have had to put up with flies, dust, and noise in their makeshift tent along a motorists’ road. She said they are lucky that rains have not poured since they lost their homes a week ago. Ahob said, “Kung umulan, saan kami pupunta (If it rains, where we will go)?" A softdrinks vendor, Ahob sighed about the future. “Paano kami makakapagsimula uli (How can we start over again)?" she asked. Wayne Domingo, a social worker of the Quezon City government, said in an interview with GMA News all the affected families are bound to be relocated. She said 125 families have so far been relocated to Montalban, Rizal, and 97 others transferred to other Quezon City evacuation centers. The rest were forced to put up makeshift tents along the streets or in the lots where their houses used to stand. Domingo noted, however, the affected families may not rebuild their houses in view of the planned relocation. The social worker also appealed for donations of mineral water and school supplies for children who lost theirs in the blaze. Domingo said the Quezon City relief center has received enough supplies of food and clothing, but additional donations are welcome. She said donors may contact their office at 927-1588, or go directly to the affected area in Quezon City. — VS, GMA News