Mandaue City Starts Clearing Fire-Hit Area In 2 Villages For Re-Blocking

The Mandaue City Government on Monday fielded earth-moving equipment to clear the fire-hit area in three sub-villages in two adjacent barangays to pave the way for its re-blocking and prevent similar disasters.

Tony Pet Juanico, chair of the Mandaue City Housing and Urban Development Office (HUDO), said there is a need to re-block the fire-hit area in Barangays Guizo and Mantuyong to establish roads and make it easier for firetrucks to enter the neighborhood.

The area was previously hit by fires in 1992 and in 2007, but plans to re-block it did not push through because the residents opposed it.

The fire on Saturday dawn razed a total of 2,235 houses, leaving some 2,255 families homeless or a total of 11,000 individuals.

Mandaue City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) head Violeta Cavada said some of the fire victims temporarily moved inside the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), which the Mandaue City Government jointly owns with the Cebu Provincial Government.

Some stayed under tents set up on the CICC compound, while some have nothing but a canvas sheet placed on top of some plants.

Juanico told fire survivors the area, which spans more than a hectare, will be developed and re-blocked.

The development will include the establishment of roads and a drainage system to prevent floods in the area.

Low-lying areas will be dumped with filling materials donated by the Cebu Contractors’ Association so the area will be leveled, he said.

Juanico said the area will then be apportioned to the fire survivors. (PNA) LAP/EB/EBP