CEBU, Philippines — A total of 167 families or 486 individuals were affected in the fire that hit Sitio Commonwealth, Barangay Ibo, Lapu-Lapu City last Monday.
The fire destroyed 63 houses while five other houses were partially damaged leaving an estimated damage in properties amounting to P405,000.
The Lapu-Lapu City government immediately provided 10 modular tents, 36 beds, 15 modular shelters, 3 portalets, 600 food packs and bottled water, and other necessities for the affected families.
The Philippine Red Cross also provided medical assistance and distributed rice porridge at the evacuation center.
On Monday night, CSWDO and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) also distributed food and non-food items to fire victims.
They distributed food boxes that contained rice, canned goods, noodles, coffee, and milk. They also provided non-food items such as kitchenware, mats, mosquito nets, towels, hygiene kits, pails, dippers, basins, and others.
The City Health Office likewise visited the area to check on the health condition of fire victims.
City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) administrative officer Carmen Cosep said the number of the fire victims may increase as they continue to conduct surveys and inventories of the affected individuals.
The fire victims, including some export processing zone workers, are temporarily sheltered at Ibo Sports Complex.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan said most of the residents failed to save their personal belongings due to panic.
“Usa sa mga biktima miingon nga tungod sa ilang karatol ug tungod sa kahadlok nga dali ra kaayo mikatag ang kayo, ang una niyang gipunit kay ang imahen sa Sr. Santo Niño," Chan said.
“Ang ubang mga biktima, kansang pinuy-anan anaa dapit sa dagat, misiguro na lang sa pagdagan sa baybayon aron sila maluwas kay ang ilang agianan gilukop na pod sa kayo," he added. — FPL (FREEMAN)