Umapad fire victims get relocation, aid

CEBU, Philippines – Victims of the May 24 fire which hit sitios Lemonsito and Mangga in barangay Umapad are assured of a 6.5-hectare lot relocation site in barangay Pakna-an, this was learned from Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes yesterday.

Though the said site is intended for informal settlers in the city’s danger zones, the “wide space of the area can still accommodate the fire victims,” Cortes said.

They can avail of houses through a soft loan under the Community Mortgage Program. However, they can only be accommodated in the area if they are able to secure from the city assessor’s office a certification that they have no land properties. Also, the fire victims are to undergo screening and evaluation from the Housing and Urban Development Office for verification of their real financial status as there are reports that some of them are “professional illegal settlers”, which means that they have the capacity to purchase properties.

As for those who rented spaces, officials of the city government will still have to decide on whether they could be accommodated, Cortes added.

Aside from the assurance on relocation, families who lost their houses received financial assistance yesterday from Governor Gwendolyn Garcia; 567 of them own houses razed by the fire while 79 are tenants.

Those whose houses were totally burned and partially destroyed received P3,000 and P2,000, respectively while those who rented space got P1,000. Capitol assistance, including goods and construction materials, already reached P1.7 million.

Further, Cortes hit on individuals who reportedly collected money to fire victims who insist on staying on the affected private lot would be able to hire a lawyer. “Di ko mosugot nga naay magdawat diha og kwarta, putlon na nato nang pagpangwarta; magtinabangay ta aron moabot ta sa atong padulngan di kay mag-iyahay ta’g lungag,” Cortes said. — Garry B. Lao and Flor Z. Perolina/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)