Apas fire victims get cash aid

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government yesterday distributed P10,000 to each of the 18 families who lost their houses to a fire in Sitio Fatima, Barangay Apas last Wednesday evening.

Ester Concha, head of the Department of Social Welfare and Services, said aside from the financial assistance, the fire victims were also given mats, blankets and other household needs.

The 18 families lived in 11 houses razed by the fire.

“Ang uban gud nga balay gipuy-an og duha o tulo ka pamilya mao nga daghan ang mga families nga fire victims,” said Concha.

She said the city will also provide construction materials, such as 10 sheets of plywood and 10 galvanized iron sheets, to each of the 11 household owners, while Apas Barangay councilman Allan Mahait said the barangay will also give sacks of cement and hollow blocks.

The houses, mostly made of light materials, were constructed at the slope of the province-owned Lot 1148, near the GMA-7 complex.

Some of the fire victims are persons with disabilities, including couple Joaquin and Ceding Acebo, who both suffered injuries after they fell off a cliff while escaping from their burning house.

Unlike in Barangay Lahug where fire victims were prevented from rebuilding their houses at the fire-stricken area, the Capitol officials had no opposition to the fire victims rebuilding their homes in the same lot.

Acting mayor Edgardo Labella visited the area and directed the Local Disaster Risk-Reduction and Management Office to ensure the reconstruction of the houses is peaceful and that there should be enough space for passageways between houses.

At present, the fire victims are still temporarily staying at the Apas Elementary School, but they will soon be allowed to go back to their place when they start rebuilding their houses. —  Rene U. Borromeo, Banat News Associate Editor/BRP (FREEMAN)