CEBU, Philippines - About 57 families in Sitio Lemonsito in Barangay Umapad, Mandaue City who were hit by fire last December 13 have finally received their financial assistance from the city government yesterday afternoon.
In a simple ceremony at the Umapad Barangay Hall, 36 families whose houses were totally burned each received P10,000 in financial assistance while 21 families whose houses were only partially burned each received P5,000 in financial assistance from the city.
The financial assistance were handed to them by a representative from the city treasurer’s office and Umapad Barangay Captain Nelson Rubio Sr.
Although the city council were able to immediately declare the area under state of calamity, it took them long for affected residents to receive their financial assistance due to the closing of the books of accounts, as explained by Rubio.
The fire occurred in Sitio Lemonsito at around 5 a.m. last December 13 after a 21-year-old mentally-disturbed man tossed a lighted lamp in a pile of rags. (FREEMAN)