On 10 April 2024, a fire broke out and reached Task Force Alpha in the slums of Isla Puting Bato, Tondo, Manila. The fire which lasted nearly five hours destroyed more than 300 houses and displaced more than 600 disadvantaged families.
Upon hearing the news, CFBCI President Samuel Lee Uy immediately conversed with the members of the Welfare Committee about a relief operation for the fire victims. Without hesitation, the two parties agreed to facilitate a relief distribution in partnership with President Uy’s company, Ford Tractor Phils., which was eventually held at Delpan Sports Complex on 16 April 2024. CFBCI Operation Brotherhood distributed canned goods, instant noodles, instant coffee, and new clothes to over 600 families in the evacuation area.
On behalf of his constituency, Hon. Anthony Igus, Chairman of Isla Puting Bato, Brgy. 20, Tondo, Manila, extended their deepest gratitude to CFBCI and Ford Tractor Phils. for their immediate assistance to the fire victims. On that day, the CFBCI members and officers who came to assist in the distribution are President Samuel Lee Uy, Vice Chairman Henry Tiu, Vice Chairman Ramon Cheng, Vice Chairman Bruce Uy, Vice Chairman Linda Lao, Plenary Member Ramon Wong, and Plenary Member Sheryl Tiu.
CFBCI would like to express its immense gratitude to the Manila Police District especially to PCAPT Genesis Aliling of PS12 (Delpan), PCAPT Florante Raquiño of PS11 (Meisic), their respective personnel, and members of Ford Tractor Phils. for their overwhelming support in maintaining the order at the distribution and ensuring that the residents will receive sufficient help.
The fire was merciless, but there is still love in the world. Let us rise together with others in the face of adversity and hope that they will soon recover from the disaster, rebuild their homes and resume their normal lives. We also hope that everyone in the Tsinoy community can show a little more compassion to others and help each other to preserve a peaceful and harmonious society.
菲華工商總會訊：馬尼拉市敦洛區「白石島」（Isla Puting Bato, Tondo）於四月十日（星期三）下午發生一起六級火警，火勢洶湧，漫延迅速，持續將近五個小時才在政府消防隊及菲華打火兄弟的全力灌救下，最終被撲滅。該場無情大火導致三百多棟鐵皮屋被燒毀，超過六百戶弱勢家庭流離失所，目前災民均暫住在市政府的臨時安置中心。
本會得知此次災情嚴重，理事長黃書瑋秉持著「人飢己飢 人溺己溺」的人道救援精神，即時與福利委員會成員討論援助事宜，最終決定由本會聯合菲律濱福特拖拉機公司(Ford Tractor, Philippines, Inc. )，亦是本會理事長黃書瑋所屬公司，於四月十六日（星期二）下午三時前往馬尼拉市岷倫洛區Del Pan疏散中心，發放援助物資，內包括：沙丁魚罐頭、牛肉罐頭、泡麵、即溶咖啡及原廠全新衣物等民生食用品。
「白石島」描籠涯主席Anthony Igus現場代表災民，感謝本會及菲律濱福特拖拉機公司的善心義舉，及時對災民伸出援手，貢獻大愛精神，一解災民燃眉之急。
當天到場協助發放工作的本會領導同仁有：理事長黃書瑋，福利委員會副主任許有福、葉啟龍偕公子葉坤立，福利委員會理事王明雄，文教委員會副主任留牡丹、莊南文，商務委員會理事佘玲玲，青年企業委員會理事黃柏凱，及秘書處職員工。
本會感謝Del Pan警局十二分局所長Genesis Aliling上尉，及Meisic警局十一分局社會關係組組長Florante Paquino上尉等十五名警員，及描籠涯成員在現場協助維護秩序，讓援助物資發放工作得以順利進行。
大火無情，人間有愛！本會與災民們在逆境中同行，共渡難關，希望他們能早日走出災變，重建家園，恢復正常生活。也期望華社各界人人都能獻出一點愛，形成互助的社會，為菲中友誼盡一份綿薄之力。
圖片說明：發放援助品圖片系列。
上左圖：（左起）許有福，西文秘書梅西卡，莊南文，佘玲玲，葉啟龍，葉坤立，王明雄，Anthony Igus主席，黃書瑋，留牡丹與菲律濱福特拖拉機公司員工。
中左圖：（左起）梅西卡，許有福，莊南文，佘玲玲，王明雄，葉坤立，葉啟龍，留牡丹，黃書瑋，黃柏凱，及菲律濱福特拖拉機公司員工。
上右圖：兩分局警員與描籠涯成員在現場協助維護秩序。
中右圖：理事長黃書瑋慰問災民。
下左圖：「白石島」災後現況（網路截圖）。
下右圖：馬尼拉市岷倫洛區Del Pan臨時安置中心，災民們被安置在簡易帳篷內。
