Tom to give tents to victims of fire using own money

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña will distribute tents to the victims of the recent fire that hit sitios Beltran and Upper Yati, Barangay Quiot.

He will use his personal money to purchase tents which will serve as temporary shelter for the affected families.

Barangay Quiot was the third barangay that received free tents from the mayor. The other two are barangays Pasil and Sawang Calero.

Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) chairperson Lea Japson said they are still validating the actual number of affected residents.

As soon as they have the final list, it will be used as basis in the distribution of tents and other aid from the city government including financial assistance and housing materials.

"Kanang sa tents, kay per house owner na i-distribute. Ang gigamit ana nga kwarta is from the mayor with the help of his friends," Japson said. (The tents will be given to each house owner.  The money used to purchase the tents is from the mayor with the help of his friends.)

As of press time, DSWS record shows that the fire razed at least 61 houses affecting 80 families but the data is yet to be validated.

The financial assistance of the city government is P20,000 per family and the housing materials include 10 pieces of galvanized iron and 10 pieces plywood.

For three days, DSWS will distribute packed meals to the victims.

Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) operation head Genevieve Alcoseba told The FREEMAN that they will do reblocking on the affected area.

However, they still need to coordinate with the lot owner because the affected area is a disputed property between the owner and the residents.

The fire broke out at 5:28 p.m. Monday and was declared under control after one hour and 30 minutes. Damage is pegged at P 500,000. (FREEMAN)