Sitio hit by fire now under calamity state

CEBU, Philippines -  The Mandaue City Council passed a resolution declaring Sitio Mahusay, Barangay Subangdaku under the state of calamity following the fire that razed 30 houses Thursday afternoon.

The declaration was in response to the recommendation of the Mandaue City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes convened the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council  an hour after the fire.

The DRRMC passed the resolution so that the city can use the calamity fund to assist the fire victims.

Each house owner is entitled to P10,000 cash assistance while every renter will get P5,000.

But the assistance is subject to evaluation by the City Social Welfare and Development.

The CSWS also provided the fire victims with food and other forms of assistance.

 The 30 houses hit by the fire were scheduled for demolition this month by the city government.

The area is reportedly a danger zone and the houses have been ordered demolished while residents would be transferred to a 6.5 hectare relocation site in Barangay Paknaan.

Meanwhile, Mandaue City fire investigators invited residents of Sitio Mahusay for questioning to shed light on the incident.

Some residents have earlier said that the fire started on the second floor of the boarding house of a certain Remedios Rufin.

Mandaue City Fire Department investigator SFO1 Nilo Cosido said more witnesses were invited for questioning. — ATO   (FREEMAN)