CEBU, Philippines — Residents of Sitio Mananga 1, Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City got their Halloween scare, so to speak, on the eve of All Saints’ Day Monday night in a form of a fire that left at least 62 families or 253 individuals homeless.
Fire Chief Insp. Alvin Torion, fire marshal of Talisay City Fire Station, said that the fire alarm was received at 8:52 p.m. and was immediately raised to first alarm.
Firefighters raised it to the second alarm at 9:09 p.m. and to third alarm at 9:24 p.m.
SFO3 Guiller Pegarido said that firemen had difficulty penetrating into the fire scene due to the narrow roads, but they were, nevertheless, able to control the flames by around 10:15 p.m.
The fire was declared out at 10:50 p.m.
Torion said no one was injured or killed in the incident.
FO3 Junrey Siaboc, Talisay City fire investigator, revealed that the fire started from the house of a certain Junrey Borlasa.
He said that no one was in the house when the fire began as the occupants were watching a basketball game.
Siaboc said that their investigation is still ongoing as to the origin of the fire, as well as what had caused it.
He said, though, that the houses burned were made of mixed materials, causing the flames to easily spread to the neighboring houses.
So far, the damage to structures was pegged at over P190,000.
Mayor Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas, in a Facebook post, said that based on the latest count, around 253 individuals or 62 families lost their homes to the fire.
“Ato gyung nakita unsa ka pait ang sitwasyon sa atong mga fire victims. That is why we asked our concerned City Hall department heads to provide what the fire victims need ASAP,” Gullas said.
According to the mayor, the City Social Welfare Office led by Felipa Solana provided hot meals for the affected individuals. As of latest count at 6 a.m. yesterday, 253 individuals needed food.
“Free ni siya tanan including breakfast na gihatag na kanina until Thursday dinner. This is three days na libre food up until ma-process nato ang ilang hinabang,” Gullas said.
“Initially, the city government provided our fire victims sleeping kits, dining kits, hygiene kits and kitchen utensils samtang naa sila sa evacuation area. Sa evacuation area naa sad area makaluto, makalaba ug makaligo sila,” he added.
Gullas added that social workers will continue to conduct surveys on who were affected by the fire so the assistance the city will provide to them will be distributed properly and that no one gets left behind.
“The financial assistance will be ready after three days from today. Ni-coordinate na sad ta ni Cong. Rhea Gullas. Actually ang tabang ni Cong. Rhea Gullas madungan og hatag sa hinabang sa city inig Thursday afternoon sa tanan,” the mayor said.
Call for help
Gullas likewise said that the city government is making sure that there is an area devoted for lactating moms at the evacuation site.
“In our evacuation area, atong gipaniguro nga we have an area for lactating moms and social workers to conduct psychosocial interventions kay di gyud lalim ilang na experience last night. We also have one modular evacuation set-up area for kids to play in,” he said.
“Atoa sab nga gipaniguro nga everytime naay iresita ang mga stationed doctors sa evacuation area, that our CSWDO will cater to their medicine needs, since naa man tay mga partner pharmacy in the city. Libre na tambal alang kanila,” he added.
Gullas is appealing to anyone with a kind heart to provide any help for the fire victims:
“If you have anything to donate, just approach our Tabunok Barangay Hall or our City Hall. You may contact them at the respective numbers as well. Tabunok Barangay Hall 09615788015; Mayor’s Office personnel: Tristan Rama – 09223925277; LYDO Christian Lazarte – 09270382452; SK FED -- Jason Candia - 09323333612.”
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan has also echoed the plea of his daughter, Pajo barangay councilor Jasmin Chan, for the Oponganons to help the families affected by the Talisay fire.
“Please, please I’m begging my followers to spare something for them. Bisag wa na sila sa Lapu-Lapu pero pareha ra ta mga Sugboanon who should look out for each other. Walay laing magtinabangay, kita ra gyud. Thank you,” the mayor’s daughter wrote on Facebook.
Another Facebook post of Orlan “OJ” Chan-Carungay said that they came up with the idea of helping the fire victims by putting up a big box at the Lapu-Lapu City Hall where donors can just drop their donations.
“Atong ibutang ang box sa may City Hall lobby ug kami na ang bahala nga modala ana didto sa Talisay. This is our way of sharing love to the fire victims kay di gyud lalim ang masunogan ug mawala sa imoha ang tanan. Sa mga Oponganon, kung naa moy extra clothes nga tan-aw ninyu nga dili na magamit, let's share that to the fire victims. Kinahanglan kaayu nila ang atong tabang karon. Bisag gamay nga tabang basta gikan sa kasingkasing. Daghang salamat in advance,” Carungay said.
In a separate development, the Mandaue City Social Welfare and Services also rendered assistance to the victims of the fire that hit Pitogo Street, Zone 4, Hermag Village in Barangay Pagsabungan at 12:04 in the morning of October 31, 2022.
Members of CSWS distributed disaster kits and grocery packs to one family and three renters.
The fire was put under control a few minutes after it the alarm was called. No one was reported hurt or injured during the incident. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon, JMD (FREEMAN)