Capitol to give P3 million to aid Tipolo fire victims

CEBU, Philippines — The Provincial Board has authorized Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, on behalf of the provincial government of Cebu, to provide P3 million in financial assistance to the fire victims of Barangay Tipolo, Mandaue City, chargeable against the preparedness fund of the Province Disaster Risk Reduction and Management office (PDRRMO).

A huge fire hit Barangay Tipolo last June 27, affecting residents in the Basubas compound, and sitios Maharlika and Espina.

Tipolo barangay officials immediately declared a state of calamity in the area so that aid and assistance could be rushed to the survivors.

The PDRRMO, which inspected the site of the fire last Tuesday, said total of 1,644 families, 753 homeowners, 843 renters, and 48 sharers were affected by the said fire.

The disaster office already initially provided food and non-food items to the survivors and evacuees from the office’s pre-positioned good.

Most of the survivors are still housed in makeshift dwellings outside the Cebu International Convention Center, but some have decided to erect makeshift dwellings where their homes used to be.

The resolution to provide aid was sponsored by PB Member Glenn Soco and co-authored by PB Member Thadeo Ouano.

“It is hereby resolved. A resolution authorizing the Honorable Governor Gwendolyn Garcia on behalf of the Provincial Government of Cebu extended their financial assistance to the fire victims of Barangay Tipolo Mandaue City for a total sum of three million pesos chargeable against the preparedness fund of the Province Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office,” the resolution read. — Zesusita C. Belarmino (FREEMAN)