Barangay declares sitio under state of calamity

CEBU, Philippines - The barangay council of Umapad in Mandaue City has declared sitio Lemonsito under a state of calamity following a fire that razed over 40 houses early morning Friday.

Barangay Umapad captain Nelson Rubio said P50,000 from the barangay’s quick response fund will be released for the fire victims.

Rubio said the barangay council also approved a resolution during an emergency session last Friday afternoon asking the Mandaue City Government to extend cash assistance or give housing materials to the affected families.

Rubio said the resolution will be forwarded to the city council tomorrow as he also hopes to start distributing their financial assistance next week.

The 53 affected families during last Friday’s fire were temporarily taken at the Opao Elementary school but some of them chose to build temporary shelters at the site where their houses once stood.

“Some have started buying materials to rebuild their homes,” Rubio said.

He also said adequate food and water were provided by the City Social Welfare Services.

The fire was started by an alleged mentally disturbed 21-year-old man who tossed a lighted lamp at a pile of rags.  (FREEMAN)