CSWDO aids Maharlika Center Fire Victims
By: Nonnette C. Bennett, photos by the PIO and Baguio Herald Express
Mayor Benjamin Magalong expresses the city’s concern to the affected store owners during the morning meeting on 7 September 2025. PIO photo
A total of 65 stall owners and workers of the fire at the Maharlika Livelihood Center (MLC) are set to get assistance for the loss in merchandise and work with the response of the City Social Welfare and Development Office on 7 September 2025.
CSWD Officer Liza Bulayugan and the Department of Social Welfare and Development Cordillera (DSWD-CAR) under regional director Maria Aplaten started profiling the tenants and workers affected by the 6 September blaze to determine the type of assistance needed.
Bulayugan said, “This ensures the timely and suitable social services that address their immediate and long-term needs.” She added that the displacement resulted in the loss of business capital, merchandise, and disruption of income. The extent of the impact and the appropriate design of interventions will allow the recovery and rehabilitation of the affected persons.
Immediately, the persons profiled were given food packs as immediate assistance.
Water is pumped out of the basement of MLC as a result of the Bureau of Fire Protection operations to put out the fire. Photo by Baguio Herald Express
Meanwhile, the MLC is closed pending further investigation of the cause of the fire that lasted some eight hours. As of press time, no official reports have been made on the structural fire. With reports from the CSWDO, photos from PIO and Baguio Herald Express
