Answering the call to help 7,000 victims of a fire in the neighboring city of Navotas, Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian ordered the distribution of 1,500 sacks of rice and 1,500 packages of used clothing.

Ahna Mejia, Valenzuela city's public information office (PIO), said this was the city government’s response to the Navotas City government’s call for donations for the victims of the fire that razed dozens of houses in Barangays Navotas West and Sipac-Almacen last week.

The Valenzuela City Social Welfare and Development Office headed by officer in charge Dorothy Evangelista and Councilor Shalani Soledad also donated boxes of bread to the fire victims.

Mejia said the clothing was earlier solicited from Negros Navigation as part of Valenzuela City’s disaster readiness program.

"The disaster which broke out at our neighbor city deeply moved Mayor Gatchalian, so he ordered donating part of it to the victims of Navotas fire,” Evangelista said.

Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco welcomed the donation, saying “we are truly grateful. This is a big boost to our relief efforts.”

Tiangco also expressed his gratitude to the two sisters of President Aquino who personally visited the city to console the fire victims and distributed relief goods.

Presidential sisters Viel Aquino Dee and Pinky Aquino Abellada, accompanied by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Dinky Soliman, visited the fire victims to personally assess the situation as emissaries of the President.

It will be recalled that the Tiangco family is a staunch supporter of former President Joseph Estrada in the last elections.

Navotas City was the only locality in Metro Manila wherein President Aquino did not win.

Navotas firemen said the four-hour fire, which broke out on the night of August 26 was the worst fire incident that hit the city in past years, causing an estimated P10 million in damages.

Firemen said the fire blaze two children and a woman dead.

Tiangco also offered the Navotas Sports Complex and in Bagumbayan Elementary School and Navotas National High School to the fire victims as temporary shelter.

The mayor in preparation for the resumption of classes, the evacuees at the schools were moved to five basketball courts in Barangays San Rafael Village, North Bay Boulevard North and North Bay Boulevard South.

Navotas City officials also appealed for the National Government’s help for a long-term plan to relocate the victims to a safer place.

Jerry Doringo, chief public information office, said the city government has been continuously distributing assistance to the affected families while the city is still looking for permanent solution to their problems.