Talisay fire displaces 28 families

CEBU, Philippines — At least 28 families were displaced after a fire broke out in a residential area in Sitio Crosan, Barangay Bulacao, Talisay City, yesterday morning, June 6.

Initial assessment from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) of Talisay City revealed that 18 houses were totally damaged after a fire struck a densely packed residential area made mostly of light materials, displacing at least 28 families, and 118 individuals from the area.

According to the Talisay City Fire Station (FS), the incident was reported to them at around 10:30 am by FO1 Ellaine Diki, a personnel of Talisay City FS assigned in Tabunok.

After receiving the report, personnel from the station were immediately dispatched to the location at around 10:31 am, arriving at the scene three minutes later.

Firefighters from Talisay City FS raised the alarm to the second level at 10:43 am, and declared the blaze under control by 10:56 am, according to the official report. After almost one hour, the Talisay City FS declared the fire completely out by 11:03 am.

FO2 Mar Dee Auxtero, Fire Investigator of Talisay City FS, said the fire reportedly started in a house owned by a certain Felix Basillote Sr., although he stated that the exact cause remains under investigation.

In an interview of FO2 Auxtero with the son of the house’s owner, he stated that the son, identified as Felix Basillote Jr., saw sparks along the electrical wires above their house before the incident.

FO2 Auxtero stated that the fire incurred an estimated ?375,000 in property damages while no casualties or injuries were recorded following the incident.

Brgy. Bulacao Councilor Agnes Lastimosa stated that the affected families will temporarily stay at the Bulacao Sports Activity Center.

Meanwhile, the City Social Welfare Services of Talisay City will provide affected families and individuals with breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the next three days.

Cebu City fire victims finally get aid

After months of waiting, 260 families whose houses were struck by fire this year finally received cash aid from the Cebu City government.

Through the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS), a total of ?3,125,000 were provided to victims.

DSWS Department Head Baby Portia Basmayor said that those with totally or partially damaged houses received ?20,000, renters or sharers received ?10,000 pesos, while absentee owners received ?5,000.

Basmayor said the City Government’s disaster funds has a total of ?40 million for relief and recovery.

A total of 168 families from Brgy. Ermita were listed for cash assistance, totaling ?1,985.00 for distribution. In Brgy. Apas, where a fire broke out last March, 37 families gathered, totaling to ?390,000.

In Brgy. Pahina Central, 29 families were affected from a fire calamity last April, totaling to ?355,000 in aid, while 16 families from Brgy. Calamba were recorded, summing up to ?240,000.

Four families from Brgy. Quiot received a total of ?70,000, two families hailing from Brgy. Bacayan received ?30,000 after an April fire, while another two families from Brgy. Tisa were also granted ?15,000 for a March fire incident.

Barangays Inayawan and Bonbon each logged one family victim, with both receiving ?20,000.

If a calamity occurs, Basmayor said the first step for victims is to report it to DSWS and to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). Affected families will be assessed, recorded, and validated with the barangay.

Necessary requirements must be submitted within three days of the incident. If it goes beyond, issuance won’t be validated.

Other national agencies assisting fire victims are the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and National Housing Authority (NHA). Victims are recommended by DSWS to NHA if further aid is needed. An interview will then be conducted to assist in rebuilding their new houses.

Among the victims was Refferson Maranga, 15, from Ermita who claimed ?5,000 at Cebu City Hall. He intends to use the funds to purchase school supplies and uniforms with his four other siblings whose age range from six to 16 years old.

His father, Reymond Intoma, apart from using the aid for their other school needs, also plan to fix the their house ceiling, buy clothes, and replace materials they lost from the April fire. – Paul Benedict Sariana and Meriane Katherine T. Espina, CNU interns/VAB (FREEMAN)