Fire victims feared to spend holidays at evacuation sites

CEBU, Philippines - Hundreds of residents who were displaced by a fire that struck Barangay Tejero last August 18 are likely to greet Christmas and New Year at evacuation sites.

There are at least 273 families or 998 individuals from Tejero, particularly in sitios Laurente, Agay-ay, Sambag and Terra Curra that were displaced during the fire. The fire started in sitio Ponce, Barangay Carreta.

They were temporarily relocated near a Chinese restaurant at the North Reclamation Area (NRA), but the owner of the restaurant complained before Mayor Michael Rama that the evacuees have become an eyesore.

In response to the complaint, Rama ordered the city’s demolition team to move the displaced families to an area at the back of the Buddha temple along the Gaisano Street. There, City Hall put up tents for the families.

Last Friday, the anti-squatting team of City Hall was ordered to demolish the structures occupied by those staying at the back of Buddha temple, but the demolition did not push through after barangay officials resisted.

While some of the affected families sought refuge with relatives, at least 100 families remain at evacuation sites.

Marites Andrino, 48, who is occupying a province-owned lot, complained that the city government has not helped them enough.

“Ang akong yango-ngo na gyud kung kanus-a man mi makabalik gyud sa among pinuy-anan. Basin maabtan gyud mi og Disyembre niini, basin diri name mag-pasko,” Andrino said.

Rona Bayno and Christina Mayol expressed the same sentiment, saying they have been waiting a go signal for them to rebuild their houses.

“Maayo unta nga mahatagan na og action ang among kahimtang dinhing lugara,” Rolando Baran also said.

City Councilor Alvin Dizon, chairman of the committee on housing at the City Council, said the city government has not been remised in its responsibilities. He said the Council already passed a resolution requesting Rama to make representation before the Office of the Governor.

In a letter dated September 19, Tejero Barangay Captain Jessielou Cadungog asked Rama to attend to the needs of the families occupying the province-owned lot.

The FREEMAN tried to contact Rama through his mobile phone yesterday, but to no avail.

Meanwhile, Cebu City South District Representative Tomas Osmeña yesterday gave away sacks of rice worth P781, 250 and financial assistance amounting to P773,000 to the fire victims of Barangays Carreta and Tejero.

Based on records of the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS), there are 358 families or 1,554 individuals from Carreta and 273 families or 998 individuals from Tejero that were affected by the fire.

Accompanied by his wife, Councilor Margot Osmeña, and Councilors Alvin Dizon and Alvin Arcilla, the congressman said the assistance he gave away came from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

Tomas said those whose houses were totally burned down received P2,000 while those whose houses were partially damaged received P1,000. Other affected individuals such as lodgers received P500.

“I can help anyone and anywhere. I see no distinction whether they are from the north or south because they are still from Cebu City,” the congressman said. (FREEMAN)