P1.2 million sought for relief of Sambag I fire victims

CEBU, Philippines – The Cebu City Crisis Management Office (formerly the Cebu City Disaster Coordinating Council) needs some P1.2 million to defray the expenses for the purchase of relief goods and materials for the victims of the fire in barangay Sambag I last Monday.

The Department of Social Welfare and Services has so far listed 543 individuals comprising 203 families who are temporarily housed at the gym in sitio Katangkungan.

The CMO has started distributing packed meals since noon last Monday until today. The Metropolitan Cebu Water District also agreed to supply water to the evacuation site.

CMO today passed a resolution recommending to the City Council the declaration of the fire-stricken area under a state of calamity so the city can use its calamity fund to purchase relief materials for the victims.

The release of funds under the calamity fund is pretty much easier and faster because it will no longer require a long and complicated process of bidding as a simple canvass will suffice.

CMO recommended the release of P1.224 million for the purchase of relief materials such as canned goods and rice, enough for a week's supply for the victims.

Tomorrow, the council is set to start distributing take-home goods such as mosquito nets, blankets, mats, plates and basic kitchen utensils, pots and pails aside from rice and canned goods.

The city is also planning to conduct mist spraying in areas prone to dengue at the evacuation site.

CMO is in the process of determining whether or not there is a need for road restoration just like what they are currently doing in T. Padilla.

Last week, the demolition of houses that encroached in the original road plan of T. Padilla started, this was in preparation for the road widening to increase the access of emergency vehicles in the area.

Meanwhile, Mayor Michael Rama reiterated the need of the city for a new fire marshal to handle the city fire department and replace current city fire marshal Esmael Codilla.

He does not know when the Department of Interior and Local Government will heed his recommendation to appoint Supt. Aderson Comar but he said he will wait because he believes that it is time for Codilla to be promoted.   He, however, clarified that his eagerness to have a new fire marshal does not mean he is not satisfied with Codilla's performance.  

Meanwhile, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia assures Sambag I fire victims that the province will extend them assistance if the officials allow them to.

The governor said that immediate help they can offer are rice, noodles, canned goods, cooking utensils, clothing and milk for the children.

"They may not be our immediate neighbors but rest assured if they will request for help nga nagkinahanglan sila og tabang and if they would welcome the assistance of the Province of Cebu, I can immediately direct the social welfare office," she said.

Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo said hopefully they can give more fire trucks to Cebu City next year.

Robredo admitted that the DILG is currently a "little handicapped" that is why they are also negotiating with foreign donors to acquire fire trucks and other firefighting equipment.

"Hopefully we will be able to help Mayor Rama," he said.

The secretary said there are around 600 local government units nationwide that have no fire trucks and the DILG's budget can only buy 200 fire trucks.

Rama has earlier asked the DILG to provide them with more fire trucks to boost the city's capability in fighting fire. - Niña G. Sumacot, Ria Mae Y. Booc, Jessica Ann R. Pareja (FREEMAN)