Sen. Bong Go visits Carreta fire victims

CEBU, Philippines — Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go personally visited the 173 families that were left homeless by a fire in Barangay Carreta in Cebu City last January 5, 2024.

The visit of the senator at the evacuation center at Carreta Elementary School, where the 631 individuals stay, gave a sigh of relief among the fire victims who mostly completely lost their homes in a raging fire.

The senator led the giving of balde sunog packs, water containers, packed meals, water container w/stickers, belt bags, shirts, basketballs, volleyballs, sockets, key chains, calendars, vitamins, and facemasks.

Lucky winners also received a bike, cellphone, shoes for men and women, among others.

The fire victims, through the senator, will also be receiving housing assistance through Emergency Housing Assistance (EHAP) of the National Housing Authority, which aims to provide financial aid to families whose homes were affected by natural or human-induced calamities such as typhoons, landslides or fire incidents to help them rebuild their homes and provide an opportunity for a fresh start.

While selected beneficiaries will also receive training/assistance from the Department of Trade and Industry through its Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG).

Barangay Carreta Councilwoman Rhodora Pyls said that the 155 families will be allowed to return to their original place in sitio Kalapukan after the reblocking in the area.

The reblocking is expected to be completed before the end of the month so that affected residents can return as they were only given 15 days to stay at the evacuation center.

Pyls said that the barangay has released P200,000 for the fire victims but this will be used to purchase five kilos of rice for each family.

Pyls added that they are thankful to the senator, and several private organizations for their continuous assistance like food, clothing, medicine, among others, to the fire victims.

The senator was with former Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas and movie actor Phillip Salvador. (CEBU NEWS)