Malacanang condoles with families of Tuguegarao fire victims
Malacanang expressed condolences to the families of the victims of the big fire that gutted down a hotel in Tuguegarao City as it called on concerned officials to ensure that safety standards are being followed by building administrators and owners of other establishments.
In an interview on Sunday over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte called on the city engineers, safety inspectors and local government units to conduct regular inspections in buildings and other business establishments to avert the occurrence of such untoward incidents.
“We would like to extend our condolences to the families of victims of the big fire that happened in Tuguegarao, Valte said.
The government’s call came after a four-hour blaze engulfed the bed and breakfast Hotel before dawn Sunday in Tuguegarao City where fifteen persons were reported missing and feared dead.
Local police said the fire started at around 1 a.m. Sunday on the ground floor of the five-story hotel and raged for five hours before being put out by the firefighters.
Search operations are still being conducted for the remains of the missing fatalities.
Authorities also said that 12 injured people were taken to the hospital and all were in stable condition. They did not release the identities of the missing and the injured.
The cause of the blaze has yet to be established.
Local fire officials earlier said that the hotel guests included graduates of a nursing school in nearby Santiago City, Isabela, who had checked in ahead of their scheduled nursing licensure exams. (PCOO)
Aquino to welcome returning OFWs
President Benigno S. Aquino III takes time out from his busy schedule to personally welcome back returning overseas Filipino workers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City on Monday, December 20.
The Chief Executive’s meet and greet of the country’s new heroes dubbed the “Presidential Pasalubong 2010,” is the highlight of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s (OWWA) annual program “Pamaskong Handog para sa OFWs” which allows the President to welcome groups of OFWs arriving from Asia, Middle East, Europe or America to spend time with their respective families this Christmas season.
This year’s theme, “Pamilyang OFW, Masayang Sama-Sama Ngayong Pasko,” hopes to inculcate in the OFW communities the positive values of family orientation and social consciousness in recognizing the contributions of OFWs to national development and extending a helping hand to those who have less in life.
Among the activities of the President upon his arrival will be to award major prizes worth P1-million in cash and gift certificates to three lucky OFWs and their families.
Joining the President will be Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim, OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon and Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Jose Angel Honrado. (PCOO)
