TF Foundation extends aid to Basak fire victims

CEBU - At least 120 families who were affected by the recent fire that hit sitio Lupa Bontores, Basak San Nicholas in Cebu City yesterday received assistance from The FREEMAN Foundation.

The foundation’s core group volunteers led by The FREEMAN Foundation administrator Dr. Remedios Bacasmas and The FREEMAN general manager Melandro Mendoza distributed used clothing, rice, noodles and canned goods to the residents who are temporarily evacuated in a vacant area in front of the barangay health center.

Basak San Nicholas barangay captain George Rama thanked the core group volunteers for spending time to see the situation of the victims and extending assistance to them.

He likewise expressed gratitude to The FREEMAN Chairman Jose “Dodong” R. Gullas and President Miguel G. Belmonte for the kind deed.

“Ang mga tawo nalipay kaayo kay sukad nasunogan sila permi lang bag-o ilang senina,” Rama jested.

The barangay captain however lamented against the lack of concern of their parish for not even paying some time to check on the plight of the affected families.

According to him, he already brought up the concern to Cebu Archdiocese media liaison officer Msgr. Achilles Dakay.

Meanwhile, Rama told the residents that with the lack of relocation site, they can reconstruct their houses in the area despite the lot owner’s opposition.

Councilor Gerardo Carillo, action officer of the Cebu City Disaster Coordinating Council, earlier said that the city government looking at the possibility of buying a portion of the lot for the relocation of the affected families.

The City Council has declared the area hit by fire under the state of calamity.

Reports said some 70 houses located in the interior portion of the sitio went up in smoke when a fire hit the area in the afternoon of November 18.

Some residents said the blaze could have been immediately controlled but the narrow roads have hampered the firetrucks of the Bureau of Fire Protection to penetrate the fire scene. — Wenna A. Berondo (THE FREEMAN)