Ma-a, Davao City
December 23, 2017
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte made an unannounced visit to the fire-hit four-storey New City Commercial Corporation (NCCC) Mall in Ma-a, Davao City on the evening of December 23, 2017.
The fire broke out on the third floor of the NCCC Mall before the establishment’s opening at around 9:30 in the morning. The third floor area displayed products such as plastic wares, fabrics, and wooden furniture.
One (1) employee of the NCCC Home Decor and thirty-seven (37) employees of the Survey Sampling International (SSI), a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company operating 24-hours in the uppermost floor of the establishment, were declared missing as the fire continued until the afternoon of Christmas eve (December 24, 2017).
The 38 employees were identified as — (1) Nancy Loyd Abad, (2) Ian Kiem Adlawan, (3) Christine Alviola, (4) Roderick Antipuesto, (5) Iana Apalacio, (6) Missy Rose Artiaga, (7) Sheila Mae Bacaling, (8) Randy Balcao, (9) Kurtchin Angela Bangoy, (10) Jonas Basalan, (11) Mary Louielyn Bongcayao, (12) Alexandra Moreno Castillo, (13) Apple Jane Celades, (14) Antioco Celestial, Jr., (15) Roderick Constantinopla, (16) Mary Joy Daluro, (17) Mikko Demafeliz, (18) Lister Jade Entera, (19) Christine Joy Ferraren, (20) Melvin Ga-a, (21) Christen Joy Garzon, (22) Regine Generales, (23) Venus Joy Kimpo, (24) Jimbo Limosnero, (25) Charlyn Liwaya, (26) Johani Matundo, (27) Rosyl Montanes, (28) Rhenzi Nova Muyco, (29) Janine Joy Obo, (30) Joyne Pabelonia, (31) Analiza Pinarijo, (32) Jim Benedict Quimsing, (33) Ivan Roble, (34) Jessica Samontina, (35) Jeffrey Sismar, (36) Jessica Solis, (37) Elyn Joy Yorsua, and (38) Desiree Gayle Zacarias.
President Duterte arrived in a restaurant near the NCCC Mall at around 10 o’clock in the evening. The restaurant is the designated holding area of the families of the employees who are believed to be trapped inside the mall. The President initiated the talks with the family members of the missing employees. He was also briefed and given updates on the disastrous incident by Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) 11 Regional Director Senior Superintendent Wilberto Tiu.
At 11:30 pm, President Duterte visited the site and checked the fire situation of the mall.
Thereafter, the President stayed with the families of the missing employees as they waited for further updates on the fire incident.
President Duterte broke into tears upon hearing that the 38 employees may have zero chances of survival. The President left the area at about 4:00 am (December 24, 2017) following his emotional dialogue with some of the kins of the 38 employees, and left them with his assurances that the government would extend its help.
“Sa pagka-ngayon walang limit, walang limit tutulungan ko kayo. Tsaka ‘yung nagpapa-aral ng kapatid, ako na magpapa-aral, magtake-over na ako. Ako yung magpa-aral. Meron man kayong mga anak na tinutulungan ng kapatid para makapagtapos, ako na mag, yung mga walang trabaho ako na magbigay ng trabaho. Ibig sabihin kayong lahat may trabaho, walang problema ‘yan,” he emphasized.
“I share your grief, I am sad as you. Ayoko ko man ring magdrama pero pati ako umiyak kase sa pagka-mayor ko, ganitong dinaanan ko, mabomba, mabaha…” the President added.
The NCCC Mall was declared fire-out at around 5:15 pm on December 24, 2017.
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