The Valenzuela City government is initiating on Wednesday, May 20, a public assistance caravan for the families of the 72 slippers factory workers who all died in a fire in Brgy. Ugong, Valenzuela City.

City Mayor REX Gatchalian said each family, including those who are not residents of Valenzuela, will receive a check from the city government.

“Kahit hindi kayo taga-Valenzuela, sa Wednesday, pupunta kayo, dahil tutulungan kayo ng pamahalaang lungsod (Even though you may not be from Valenzuela, please return on Wednesday to claim our assistance for you),” the local chief executive earlier told families in a meeting with them on Thursday at Maysan Barangay Hall.

“Sama-sama po tayo nito. Pare-parehas tayo na nasa isang bangka, at wala tayong iiwanan (We are all in it together. We are on the same boat. We are not leaving anyone behind),” Mayor REX said.

On top of financial assistance, food and medical care will be given the families. The city government will also cover the burial costs.

Described as a “one-stop shop” by city officials, the public assistance center will also bring in representatives from various government agencies and non-government organizations, which are also providing the families support: Department of Labor and Employment, Social Security System, Pag-IBIG, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Department of Social Welfare and Development Office, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Tzu Chi Foundation.

Mayor Rex also said families will be allowed to view the recovered personal effects of the victims in a room at the Valenzuela City Hall, AVR, Legislative Building, where the public assistance center will be set up.

The public assistance center will open at 11:00 a.m.

Shortly before noon on Wednesday, May 13, 2015, fire razed the factory of rubber slippers maker Kentex Manufacturing Corporation in Brgy. Ugong, after sparks from a welding work on the gate of one of the three buildings in the compound set nearby containers of chemical on fire.