Fire victims to get rent subsidy from city

CEBU, Philippines - Through an executive order, the Cebu City government will be giving fire victims in the city a rental subsidy amounting to P12,000 per family.

This developed after Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he wanted to save on expenses particularly for evacuees in the government-owned facilities such as gymnasiums and schools.

The P12,000 subsidy is intended for three months rental payment for the fire victims while the  Division of Welfare for the Urban Poor, is still re-blocking the affected areas.

Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CCDRRMO) Head Nagiel Bañacia told The FREEMAN the rental subsidy will be in addition to the cash assistance amounting to P20, 000 as well as the housing materials to be given to those affected.

“Kani ang tumong nato ani to emphasize aron makabalik dayon sa ilang normal nga panginabuhi ang mga biktima. Number 2, to give way to the government to conduct ba sa kanang mo-conduct ba og clearing operations to reconstruct the community,” said Bañacia.

The first set of beneficiaries of the rental subsidy will be those affected by recent fire incidents in Barangays Duljo, Tisa and Labangon.

“Kana lang sa priority nato karon kay mas daghan man, but mao na ni atong buhaton. In the future, this will be part sa consideration sa budgeting, annual budgeting sa atong disaster funds,” said Bañacia.

To recall, a fire that broke out on Spolarium Street, Barangay Duljo-Fatima  on December 1, 2016 damaged 531 structures, while 194 houses were also destroyed in a fire that hit Barangay Tisa and Labangon just a few weeks ago on February 20.

The City Treasurer’s Office is now processing the needed papers for the releasing of the rent subsidy so that the affected families will be able to find temporary housing until re-blocking and reconstruction is completed in the affected areas.

“Na-implement nato pag Monday kay ako ni gipapasar sa Disaster Council for concurrence sa executive nga gi-issue ni mayor… We'll try our best nga madali nato ni siya kay we understand the situation now sa mga fire victims ngadto sa mga temporary site nila,” Bañacia said.

The city government has set aside P130 million for this to be charged under disaster funds.

As the head of CCDRRMO, Bañacia also reminds the public to exercise caution to avoid fire incidents, especially since the summer season is almost here.

“Pahimangno sa mga tawo kinahanglan numero uno manglimpyo ta sa balay kay sa pagpanglimpyo nato atong sigurohon nga atong hipuson kadtong mga dali masunog — papel, karton, apil na na ang pagtenir og mga dali masunog, sama sa pintal, mga thinner — sulod sa balay, mao nang dali masunog nga materyales sama sa gasolina pud, alcohol dali ni siyang masunog. Mao ning likayan nato,” he said. (FREEMAN)