Most victims don't qualify for relocation

CEBU, Philippines - Close to 70 percent of the fire victims in Barangay Alang-alang Mandaue City who are supposed to be beneficiaries of a relocation site are found to be disqualified because of their failure to comply with the requirements.

A high-placed source in Mandaue City, who requested anonymity, said only 30 of the 80 beneficiaries could avail of the 6.5-hectare relocation site in Barangay Paknaan because the remaining 50 failed to submit their requirements to the Housing and Urban Development Office.

The supposed beneficiaries are members of the San Vicente Homeowners Association who are living within the three-meter easement zone. Their financial assistance from the city government is supposed to be their down payment of the relocation site that the city government has prepared for them in Paknaan.

But because of the failure of most of them to comply with the requirements, their financial assistance may have to be withheld as well. Close to 200 families lose their homes to a big fire in Alang-alang last Friday.

Based on the records of the City Social Welfare Services, the total numbers of house owners who were affected by fire have reached 162 while there are 123 renters or sharers.

CSWS chief Violeta Cavada said that fire victims are presently living in tents provided by the city government will be receiving food provisions from their office until today.

Starting Monday the fire victims will have to cook their own because they will be provided with kitchen wares.

House owners are expected to receive P10,000 worth of housing materials while renters will receive P5,000 each as soon as the barangay is declared under state of calamity.

Cavada said that aside from the relief assistance provided by the city government the fire victims are now provided with relief assistance from politicians and NGOs .

Among those who extend relief goods to the fire victims yesterday were sixth district representative Gabriel Luis Quisumbing, the provincial government through Provincial Board Member Thadeo Ouano and city councilor Lolypop Ouano-Dizon. (FREEMAN)