Subangdaku brgy officials seek aid for fire victims

THE BARANGAY Council of Subangdaku has approved a resolution requesting the Mandaue City government to extend financial aid to fire victims in sitio Sapa-Sapa Dos.

Subangdaku barangay captain Ernie Manatad said while there were 36 homeowners displaced and 261 persons affected by last Thursday's fire, the number was not enough to place the sitio under calamity status.

But Manatad said the barangay and the Mandaue City government may still utilize their disaster quick response fund to help the fire victims.

The funds will be channeled to the Philippine Red Cross, he said.

Manatad said their resolution will be endorsed to the City Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) today.

Manatad said they offered the fire victims use of classrooms as their temporary shelter.

But the families chose to set up makeshift shelters near the fire scene instead.

The fire victims made use of plywood provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other construction materials from private companies.

Mandaue City's barangay disaster brigades were monitoring the victims who were provided free water by the barangay.

Manatad said Mayor Jonas Cortes advised the fire victims to transfer to the 6.5 relocation site in barangay Paknaan. But only a few availed of the offer. The Bureau of Fire Protection has yet to determine the cause of the fire which began at the second second floor of the Luchavez family house.

In related development, local housing officials said the relocation of 1,200 beneficiaries in barangay Pakna-an is being finalized.

Tony Juanico, Housing and Urban Development Office (HUDO) chief, said Social Housing Finance Corp. president Anna Oliveros were scheduled to finalize the papers for the housing site.

HUDO plans to pay P130 million for the 6.5 hectare land next month.

Juanico said they plan to relocate families who live in danger zones like creeks, canals, and riverbanks. Reporter Jucell Marie P. Cuyos and Silliman University Intern Katrin Anne A. Arcala