Fire victims to get cash aid from CH

CEBU, Philippines — After the big fire that razed more than a hundred houses and leaving almost a thousand homeless at Sitio Panting, Barangay San Roque, Cebu City on Sunday, Mayor Edgardo Labella has guaranteed the city government will provide assistance to the victims.

Labella said the city government will provide P20,000 financial assistance to home owners, and P10,000 financial assistance to renters.

He added that there will be continuous feeding for three days.

Labella said since the evacuation centers have concrete floors, pieces of plywoods were collected for the victims to sleep on it.

"Alas dose nami nahuman gabii. Di man mahimong pahigdaon nato ang mga bata sa semento," said Labella.

Almost a thousand victims were placed in two evacuation centers yesterday morning. These evacuation centers are the Tinago gymnasium and San Roque Barangay Hall.

Labella disclosed that the lot which was hit by the fire is a private property.

"It has always been the position of the city that no one should be dislocated only by reason of fire. Kinahanglan pabalikon na nato sila. If the owner wanted to have something to be done on his property, he has to resort to legal remedies," said Labella.

He also instructed the Division on the Welfare of the Urban Poor to immediately clear the area and to have a reblocking of the area.

Labella has encouraged the public to help in providing any assistance to the fire victims, preferably food and used clothing.

For purposes of hygiene, he has also urged the public to donate bath soaps, toothbrush, toothpaste and unused underwear, especially for the girls.

"Ang pait sa sunog, mahurot man gyud tawon tanan," said Labella.

Meanwhile, Barangay San Roque has declared a state of calamity because of the fire incident.

Based on the DSWS data, a total of 116 houses were totally damaged, 261 families were affected and about 960 individuals were left homeless.

Barangay Councilor Jojie Balcon, who heads the community’s Health and Social Services, said they have conducted an emergency session Sunday night for the formal declaration of a state of calamity.

Balcon added they would use P111,000 as calamity fund to buy for tents, while waiting for the city’s aid.

Balcon also said that they are waiting the clearance from the city on when they can go back to the area.

The official added that they are still continuing their validation to determine the extent of the damage of the fire.

The fire victims are still asking for support and aid after the incident. (FREEMAN)