COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Regional officials have extended initial aid to victims of a fire in Jolo, Sulu believed to have caused around P35 million in damage and displaced 5,127 families.
Jolo officials said Wednesday afternoon that around 25,000 people had been displaced, up from 15,000 from an initial count. Jolo Mayor Kerkhar Tan said that at least 3,000 houses had been destroyed.
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The Humanitarian Emergency Assistance and Response Team of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has been sent to the villages of Barangays Walled City and Busbus in Jolo.
Myrna Jocelyn Henry, information officer of the HEART, said ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman led regional officials in extending initial relief services to the fire victims on Wednesday morning.
Henry said Hataman also released initial cash assistance for the displaced villagers through local social welfare personnel.
Chief Superintendent Graciano Mijares of the Police Regional Office-ARMM said Wednesday they are still trying to determine, along with provincial officials of the Bureau of Fire Protection, what caused the fire, the worst in Sulu in recent years.
Hataman, who is overseeing the operation of HEART, said he is thankful to Gen. Carlito Galvez, Jr., Armed Force chief of staff, for providing a military aircraft to bring supplies from regional capitol in Cotabato City via the Maguindanao Provincial Airport.
Hataman said personnel of the Sulu provincial police office are now helping attend to the needs of the fire victims.