DAVAO CITY - At least 230 families in two barangays here affected by the fire received cash aid from the office of First Congressional District Rep. Paolo Z. Duterte on Thursday, August 1.

Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II, the lawmaker’s son, assisted 45 house owners, sharers, renters, and boarders in Barangay 28-C and aided the same to 185 families in Barangay 2-A.

The 230 families, who are now recuperating from the incident, also received earlier food packs, bottled water, other essentials, and hot porridge from the First District Office.

“We continuously coordinate with the communities to ensure all affected families and individuals receive the necessary assistance,” Rep. Duterte said.

Twenty houses were reportedly gutted down by a fire at Purok 4 in Barangay 28-C two months ago, leaving a woman injured and families displaced.

In an initial report of the Bureau of Fire and Protection-11, the 41-year-old woman identified as Crisanta Vargas sustained second-degree burns on her right arm.

The fire investigators suspected that a cellular phone charger overheating was the cause of the fire, leading to an estimated P1.35 million in damages. 

Meanwhile, more than 100 houses were damaged in Barangay 2-A by fire, leaving two children dead and families displaced last month.

Authorities reported that the 11 and 14-year-old children, who were cousins, were trapped inside their house when the fire broke out. Their bodies were both found inside a bathroom.

The fire investigators suspected that an electrical short circuit was the cause of the fire, leading to an estimated P2.2 million in damages. 

Rigo consoles the victims during the distribution of assistance. He vowed to help the victims in the best way he can. He also encouraged them to prioritize their safety.