Council to put Sambag 2 under state of calamity

CEBU, Philippines — After the barangay council of Sambag 2, Cebu City declared a state of calamity following a massive fire that hit their area earlier this week, the City Council is also expected to do the same to be able to release financial assistance to the affected residents.

Sambag 2, under barangay captain Keith Noel Wenceslao, conducted an emergency session a day after the fire last Monday where they declared a state of calamity.

However, barangay officials of Sambag 2 have yet to discuss the utilization of their limited quick response funds due to the number of victims involved and there is still a long way to go until the end of the year.

Former barangay captain and now councilman Ryan Aznar, who chairs the committee on appropriations, told The Freeman that this is the second fire to hit the barangay this year. The first was late January in sitio San Juan that also affected close to two dozen structures.

As for the fire in Sitios Riverside, Kalubihan, and Brupa, the final report shows a total of 91 houses affected with 738 individuals or 207 families.

The City’s Department of Social Welfare Services head Portia Basmayor said they are already done with their validation after two days of registration of the displaced individuals.

Of the total affected families, only three families are currently housed at the evacuation center as the rest opted to stay with their relatives or rent another place.

The city government is also extending its non-financial help, especially on the provision of food along with those from other concerned government agencies.

Financial assistance from the City government is still currently being processed as well.

DSWS has already submitted its report to the City Council for them to approve a resolution declaring a state of calamity for the city government to finally release the financial assistance to the affected families. (CEBU NEWS)