CEBU, Philippines - Chaos and panic irrupted at Mambaling Elementary School in Cebu City yesterday morning when a fire broke at an area nearby, prompting parents to rush to the school to fetch their children and the children to rush out of the school.
“While ongoing ang fire, nakadungog ang mga bata sa siren maong nanagan nagkaabot pod sa mga parents nga nangadtos skwelahan kay mukuha’s ilan’g mga bata… not necessarily nga gibiyaan sa teachers ang mga estudyante,” said Councilor David Tumulak, chairman of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.
He said standard operating procedure during emergencies dictates that the school gates should be closed if the fire happens outside the premises, but explained, “Kato unta, sirado na pero wala na-control tungod sa kadaghan sa parents ni-adtos skwelahan. Ma-avoid unta ang ingon ato kung well-coordinated ang sa PTA (parents teachers association) ug ang skwelahan.”
As yesterday, the city’s Department of Social Welfare and Services recorded at least 501 individuals or 123 families affected by the morning fire. The fire, Mayor Michael Rama said, hit an area covered by the city’s slum improvement resettlement program.
Tumulak said CCDRRMC has conducted a disaster preparedness seminar to all teachers in the city but he said there might be a need to hold another one following the incident yesterday.
At least five classrooms at Mambaling Elementary School will be used to house the fire victims temporarily but Tumulak assured their presence will not interrupt classes. The school is located about 10 meters away from the fire site.
Tumulak said small fire trucks from different barangays had to be used to help out the fire out.
“Dili man maka-sulod ang dagko nga mga fire trucks maong kailangan gyud buhatan og road opening ang lugar,” he said.
Rama has directed the city’s Division for the Welfare of Urban Poor to clear the fire-stricken area. He said the area should be re-blocked to prevent further emergencies.
“My marching order is to bring the school as temporary evacuation center,” he said, adding, the students and teachers at the school may have to bear the circumstance since there are also students who were affected by fire.
DSWS head Dr. Ester Concha said packed meals were given to the fire victims and financial assistance will be prepared. —/JMO (FREEMAN)