DWUP starts clearing fire-stricken area

CEBU, Philippines — The Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) has started clearing the fire-stricken area in Barangay Duljo-Fatima in preparation for the reblocking.

Houses gutted by fire are being teared down to clear the area from any obstruction.

The clearing operation started last week after the fire victims gave them a go signal, said DWUP Operations Chief Genevieve Alcoseba.

Part of the operation is to survey the affected home lots to identify the number of structures built on the city-owned property and on the private lot.

“The survey would help us come up with an equal lot allocation for the fire victims,” said Alcoseba.

The survey would take up to 10 days. Once done, DWUP will proceed with the embankment of the affected area.

The fire victims can then rebuild their respective houses based on the city government’s subdivision plan and reblocking scheme.

The reblocking scheme will allow the establishment of wider roads (at least 6.5 meters wide) and three-meter wide pathways to provide more access to fire trucks and other vehicles in times of emergencies.

The scheme, however, will reduce the lot allocations of some families owing to the provision of access roads.

On December 25, 2018, a fire hit sitios Buli, Mansanitas, Catwalk, San Pedro, Plastikan, Pasong Kabayo and Punyang, all in Barangay Duljo-Fatima.

The fire razed 391 houses, displacing 659 families or 2,700 individuals.

The fire victims are currently staying at the barangay hall and San Nicolas Elementary School. (FREEMAN)