Cebu City to Give Housing Materials, Financial Aid to Fire Victims

The Cebu City government will give housing materials and financial aid to victims of the fire which hit Sitio Lower Ponce, Barangay Capitol Site Tuesday night, an official said.

The fire razed down 70 houses and damaged 12 others.

Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Chief Nagiel Bañaca said the city will be releasing within the week the housing materials to the fire victims.

The financial assistance of Php10,000 for those whose houses were destroyed and Php5,000 for those damaged, will be released once the barangay and the Cebu City Council will already declare the fire site under a state of calamity.

Bañaca said the area razed by fire in Capitol Site will not be re-blocked because the lots are privately owned.

However, he said the City will just have to clearly establish the roads there.

He said firefighters have complained of having difficulty in penetrating the fire scene because it is located 70 meters from the main road.

Bañaca said firemen connected seven to eight firehoses to reach the fire scene.

The fire victims, who have taken temporary shelter at thebarangays’ covered basketball court, have been given food aid by the Department of Social Welfare and Services. (PNA) LDV/EB/EDS