On 15 October 2024, a huge fire broke out in a residential area located in Brgy. 775, Sta. Ana, Manila, injuring three residents, destroying houses and establishments amounting to P3 million and displacing a total of 365 families or 900 individuals. To provide relief assistance to the fire victims, the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI) led by President Samuel Lee Uy headed to Sta. Ana, Manila on 21 October 2024. Director Willy Wong, Vice Chairman Linda Lao, Vice Chairman Ramon Uy, Vice Chairman Stella Lim, Plenary Member Sheryl Tiu, and Plenary Member Ronald Uy also participated in the relief operation.

At 3:00 p.m., hundreds of residents affected by the recent fire incident began to flock at Onyx St. corner Sagrada Familia St. in Sta. Ana, Manila to line up for the relief distribution. Officers and members of CFBCI were glad to assist in administering the relief packs containing five kilograms of premium rice, instant noodles, canned goods, and instant coffee packs. The organization also distributed new pairs of rubber slippers and blankets to the residents, courtesy of CFBCI Vice Chairman Antonio Ng. The Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW) and Kagawad Jacqueline Mejia Borres of Brgy. 775 also assisted in the operation.

Despite the humid weather, everyone was beaming with joy upon witnessing the heartwarming scene. People helping one another especially during times of disaster boosts our morale and redeems our faith in humanity. A total of 365 families benefited from the relief operation done in collaboration with the Filipino Tsino Magkaibigan Foundation, a humanitarian organization comprising of 32 member-organizations in the Filipino-Chinese community which aims to provide immediate help to our disadvantaged brethren and perpetuate the friendship between the Philippines and China.

Fire cases are becoming more prevalent nowadays with some becoming much pervasive. In fact, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has reported a 34.4 percent increase in cases nationwide in the first six months of 2024. As an organization, CFBCI will constantly advocate for intensified fire prevention campaign led by the national government which aims to raise awareness about the causes, hazards, and dangers of fire.

After the distribution, President Samuel Lee Uy took the opportunity to converse with the residents, and relay the deepest sympathies of the organization to those who are affected by the tragedy. He shared some words of encouragement to the people, emphasizing that we can rise together as ‘one community’. After his short speech, everyone gave a warm round of applause and thanked the members of the organization for spearheading the charitable activity. The personnel of the MDSW and the barangay also expressed their deepest gratitude for the help offered by CFBCI, which the organization accepted with greatest pleasure and honor.

菲華工商總會訊：馬尼拉市聖沓安娜區描籠涯七七五（Barangay 775, Sta. Ana, Manila）於十月十五日（星期三）凌晨發生一起四級火警，火勢在政府消防隊及菲華打火兄弟超過三小時的全力灌救下，最終得以撲滅；該場無情大火燒毀將近四百棟民房，造成千人無家可歸、流離失所，災民被安排暫住在市政府所提供的臨時安置中心。

該場突如其來的大火災牽動著本會同仁的心，理事長黃書瑋秉持著「人飢己飢，人溺己溺」的人道救援精神，立即聯合「菲中愛心基金」，於十月廿一日（星期二）下午前往聖沓安娜區描籠涯七七五火災災民的臨時安置中心發放三百多份援助物資予受災居民。每包物資內有：大米、泡麵、罐頭、即溶咖啡及被子和拖鞋等，以盡棉薄之力。

描籠涯七七五幹部Jacqueline Mejia Borres及在場的馬尼拉市社會福利局工作人員，也代表災民們，感謝本會和「菲中愛心基金」對災民們伸出援手，貢獻大愛精神，解決大家的燃眉之急。

理事長黃書瑋則是向災民們轉達本會與「菲中愛心基金」最深切的慰問，並鼓勵他們振作精神，早日走出災變，重建家園，恢復正常生活。

大火雖然無情，慶幸沒有造成人員傷亡；菲華僑社即時發揮愛心，大家不分種族，積極參與救助，送上援助物資，在這災後最艱難的時刻給予災民人間溫情。

「菲中愛心基金」是由華社三十二個主要團體所共同組成，本會亦是成員單位之一，旨在促進菲中人民之間的友好關係。

當天到場協助發放物資工作的本會領導同仁有：理事長黃書瑋，執行副理事長曾國強，董事黃志安，常務理事許有福、洪海濱、顏漢龍、留牡丹、施惠萍，理事王明雄、佘玲玲、顏孫發及秘書處職員工等人。

圖片說明：本會配合「菲中愛心基金」前往聖沓安娜區描籠涯七七五火災災民的臨時安置中心，發放三百多份援助物資給受災居民。