Mandaue City will formally recognize Ei Mei Lee Maningo for her bravery in rescuing her pet dogs from a fire that struck a commercial building in Barangay Guizo last week.
The city council will award Maningo a commendation during its regular session on December 15 in acknowledgment of her courage and compassion.
Maningo drew public attention after a video showing her saving her two dogs from a burning building went viral on social media.
The footage captured her on the third floor carefully throwing the animals to waiting bystanders below.
Both dogs were safely caught, and Maningo was later assisted by firefighters in descending from the building, sustaining only minor injuries.
During its December 11 session, the council approved a resolution honoring Maningo for placing the safety of her pets above her own during the emergency.
Councilor Jennifer Del Mar, who authored the resolution, said Maningo’s actions reflected “genuine courage and love for her pets,” adding that the council was inspired by her willingness to face danger to protect the animals.
The incident occurred on the morning of December 10 at a styrofoam warehouse inside a three-storey commercial building in Sitio Santo Niño, Barangay Guizo. Maningo, a stay-in employee, was on the third floor when she heard a loud noise, followed by thick black smoke, prompting her to call for help.
According to the Mandaue City Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the fire alarm was received at 7:10 a.m., with the situation elevated to second alarm four minutes later. Firefighters brought the fire under control at 7:50 a.m. and fully extinguished it by 8:22 a.m.
Fire Officer 2 Mark Anthony Yagonia, a fire investigator with Mandaue BFP, said preliminary findings suggest that electrical maintenance issues may have triggered the blaze. (VCL)
