Mandaue blaze leaves hundreds homeless: 3rd fire in 3 days

CEBU, Philippines — For the third consecutive day since the start of Fire Prevention Month, another fire broke out, this time in Barangay Mantuyong, Mandaue City, leaving 500 individuals homeless after 80 houses were reduced to ashes.

The Mandaue City Fire Station reported that the fire alarm was received at 2:46 p.m., raised to the first alarm at 2:58 p.m., and escalated to the second alarm at 3:07 p.m. Firefighters managed to put the blaze under control by 3:35 p.m. before it was declared out at 4:42 p.m.

Fire Officer 1 Niel Amancio said they are still investigating the cause of the fire, which reportedly started at the two-storey residential house of Teresita Auman Garbo.

“Mga one hour gyud ang sunog pero bisan pa densely populated ang area, unya naglisud sad ta og sulod sa area kay gamay ang agi-anan unya ang pikas kay sapa. Mao atong gi-sumpay-sumpay ang mga hose aron makahatag gyud ta og tubig,” Amancio said in an interview with The Freeman.

No casualties or injuries were reported, but property damage was estimated at P759,000, covering a 1,500-square-meter area.

Garbo, the homeowner, denied allegations that a butane explosion caused the fire, saying their family uses “gasul” instead. She recalled that they were watching television when they smelled smoke and saw flames.

She said that her husband wanted to go upstairs to salvage some belongings, but she kept shouting that it was better for them to get out of the burning house and save their lives, she recounted.

Mantuyong Barangay Captain Julius Ceasar Agreopagita said around 60 houses were completely burned, affecting 250 families, and that the number of displaced individuals might increase. Many of the victims are currently staying at Mantuyong Gym and Mandaue City Central School.

This is the fourth major fire in Barangay Mantuyong, following previous incidents in 1992, 2007, and 2016.

The fire reportedly started at Sitio Ihawan, an area known for its lechon businesses. Some residents were seen throwing live pigs into the river to save them from the flames.

“Nakita bitaw nato nga naay mga baboy gipanglabay sa sapa para sad tingali dili to sila maapil sa sunog,” Amancio said.

In response to the series of fire incidents, the Mandaue City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office recently distributed fire extinguishers, medical jump kits, and megaphones to barangays under the Kabukiran Cluster, which includes Canduman, Casili, Cubacub, Pagsabungan, Basak, Jagobiao, and Tawason.

Cebu City fire victims face contrasting fate

Meanwhile, in Cebu City, victims of recent fires from two barangays are facing different fates.

Mayor Raymond Garcia has allowed residents affected by a recent fire in Barangay Lahug to rebuild their homes on the same site, while those in Sitio Badjaonons/Naba, Barangay Mambaling, are barred from returning as the area is classified as a “no-build zone” due to its location within a three-meter easement of a waterway.

Councilor Jerry Guardo, the city’s infrastructure overseer, earlier said the Mambaling site is also set to be cleared for the Mambaling Bypass Road project.

“That is correct (it is under a no-build zone), and we have to respect that,” Garcia said during a press conference at City Hall.

Garcia said a meeting had already been conducted to look for a relocation site for the displaced families.

“Nagmeeting na mi ganina, and my order is we will be looking for a relocation site for them,” he said.

Aside from being a no-build zone, Garcia said the area is also unsafe for residents due to its coastal location, as assessed by the city’s disaster risk team.

“Recommendation of the Disaster Office is dili na pabalikon diha kay piligroso na diha, dagat na. Among buhaton ani, we will look for a suitable area for them,” Garcia said.

For now, fire victims are temporarily housed at the Viking Gym in Mambaling, while the city is hoping for Alaska Elementary School to accommodate some families. Nearly 200 families were displaced by the fire.

Garcia said the city aims to finalize a relocation site for them this month.

The city government is also planning to clear the remaining 10 percent of structures still standing in the no-build zone in Mambaling.

“Definitely, amo ng e-clear bisan pag wala naapil sa sunog. Balhin sila tanan,” Garcia said.

On the other hand, fire victims in Barangay Lahug will be allowed to rebuild on-site after discussions between Garcia and Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, as the affected land is owned by the Cebu Provincial Government.

“Of course, number one namo, wa gyuy ma-displace, wa gyuy ma-displace. Kamong tanan makatukod mo’g balik, pero sabot ta nga kadtong inyong mansion sa una matipas-tipas gamay. Ang importante nga naa mo tanan,” Garcia said while leading the distribution of disaster kits and groceries in Lahug.

The city government is also set to implement a reblocking plan in Lahug.

“Gusto lang ko nga magpasabot ninyo kaninyong tanan nga ang thrust gyud sa atong gobyerno is safety gyud sa mga tawo, mao na nga kinahanglan gyud ang reblocking,” Garcia told the fire victims.

Meanwhile, Garcia is hoping that the City Council will declare a state of calamity soon so the city can access its quick response fund for financial and food assistance for affected families. — (FREEMAN)