Gwen, Jonas, Luigi help fire victims

CEBU, Philippines - The Capitol, Mandaue City, the office of sixth district Rep. Gabriel Luigi Quisumbing are helping fire victims in barangay Jagobiao, Mandaue City.

The Mandaue City Risk Reduction and Management Council has approved a resolution which asks the city council to declare sitio San Lorenzo Ruiz in barangay Jagobiao, Mandaue City under a state of calamity.

The city council is set to approve the resolution today.

The declaration will allow the city to use part of its calamity fund to help fire victims.

As of yesterday, City Social Welfare Services (CSWS) Chief Violeta Cavada has listed a total of 271 fire victims, 132 of them house owners while 139 are renters or sharers.

Once the city gains access to its calamity fund, house owners will each be given P10,000 while house renters and sharers will each get P5,000.

During the council’s meeting yesterday afternoon, Mayor Jonas Cortes said the city will purchase six breathing apparatus for the fire department.

He said the city will also buy two standby vehicles for the CSWS so that in times of calamities one of these vehicles will be loaded with food packs for the immediate distribution to affected families.

The other vehicle will be detailed at the city’s command center in times of calamities.

The affected residents will remain at the Jagobiao National High School for only a week so as not to disrupt classes.

However, barangay Jagobiao captain Edissa Montessa said she will appeal to the administration of the Eversley Child Sanitarium to allow the affected families to stay in its vacant lot temporarily.

The CSWS will continue to cook food for the affected families for three days.

Aside from this, the office of sixth district Rep. Luigi Quisumbing also brought food and blankets to the area.

Fire hits the interior portion of sitio Lorenzo Ruiz in barangay Jagobiao noontime Monday.

The Capitol also sent assistance yesterday which included 25 sacks of National Food Authority rice, 10 boxes of meatloaf; 25 sacks of used clothing; 20 boxes of sardines; 50 pieces of blankets, and 50 pieces of plastic mats.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia instructed yesterday the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and the Integrated Provincial Health Office to assess the needs of the victims.

IPHO chief, Dr. Cristina Giango said goods were delivered yesterday afternoon with the help of PSWDO.

Capitol’s social welfare assistant Wilson Ramos said the relief goods were just initial since the City Social Welfare Office of Mandaue is still validating the number of fire victims.

The initial list received by the PSWDO showed 132 house owners and 139 renters and sharers.

Ramos said more goods will be delivered as long as they get the verified list to determine the exact number of fire victims.

No one was reported hurt or killed.

Damage to property was pegged at P2 million. - THE FREEMAN