City setting up fire victims’ shelters near fish market

CEBU, Philippines - Victims of the fire that hit two sitios of Barangay Suba, Cebu City will be temporarily staying near the Pasil Fish Market for three months while City Hall reblocks the site.

Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor head Genevieve Alcoseba said they will use Geographic Information Satellite mapping to expedite the subdivision of the space so the victims could already start rebuilding their homes as soon as possible.

This development came after a consultation last Saturday.

Under the system, the city would build a water tank to serve as source of water during emergencies like fire or when there is scarcity of water.

"Ang pabor sa Suba, naa siya’y open space sa front sa fish market. Ato tong i-maximize nga area nga i-temporary shelter nila, kung pananglitan kinahanglan gyud ta mag-clearing," Alcoseba said.

To recall, the October 25 fire that hit Sitio Tagutungan destroyed 70 homes, while the November 28 fire that hit Sitio Wakwak razed 73 houses.

Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office head Nagiel Bañacia said the City has agreed to set up temporary shelters for the families near the first market while GIS mapping is being done.

He said this plan has already been presented to Mayor Tomas Osmeña for his approval.

Bañacia said he did not know yet how much the plan would cost the city but the funds would be taken from his office's 2017 budget amounting to P350.8 million, 75 percent of which is for disaster prevention measures. (FREEMAN)