COTABATO CITY, Philippines โ Bangsamoro Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua expressed sympathy on Wednesday for residents of Barangay Lamion in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, after a massive fire destroyed about 1,000 homes and displaced thousands.
Macacua said no lives were lost in the blaze, which broke out late Tuesday night, calling it โa blessing we must never take lightly.โ
โOn behalf of the Bangsamoro Government, I extend my deepest sympathy to the families and residents who have suffered immense loss,โ Macacua said in a statement.
Bongao fire
The fire started at around 10:09 pm on February 3, according to the Bongao Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO). Authorities declared the fire fully contained at around 2 am on Wednesday, after hours of firefighting and evacuation efforts.
Emergency operations were led by local government units in Tawi-Tawi, with support from national and Bangsamoro regional agencies, including firefighting teams, search-and-rescue units, and sea-borne evacuation groups. As of press time, authorities reported no fatalities.
Macacua said he has been in constant coordination with Tawi-Tawi Governor Yshmael โMangโ Sali to ensure a coordinated and immediate response.
BARMM disaster and aid agencies
Following the incident, Macacua mobilized several Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) agencies, including the Bangsamoro Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi), Project Tulong Alay sa Bangsamorong Nangangailangan (TABANG), and the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD).
Project TABANG is preparing 1,000 sacks of 10-kilogram rice for distribution to affected families. The MSSD has also rolled out relief operations, including the distribution of relief packs, establishment of a community kitchen, emergency procurement of essential goods, and profiling of families for cash assistance under the Emergency Shelter Assistance program and the Bangsamoro Critical Assistance in Response to Emergency Situations (BCARES).
The Bangsamoro governmentย deployed READi teams to conduct a Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) to determine the extent of damage and the immediate needs of displaced residents.
Macacua assured the residents of Barangay Lamion that the regional government remains fully engaged in relief and recovery efforts.
โEven in grief, we remain united as one community. We draw strength from one another and uphold our shared responsibility to help our people recover, rebuild, and move forward with dignity,โ he said.
In a message to affected residents, Macacua added: โHindi kayo nag-iisa. The Bangsamoro Government stands with youโtoday and in the days of rebuilding ahead. In Sha Allah.โ (Image: BARMM photo)
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