City readies cash for fire survivors

The Cebu City Government will extend financial assistance to around 80 families displaced by a fire that gutted 61 houses in Sitios Beltran and Upper Yati, Barangay Quiot last Monday.

Some P20,000 will be given to owners of destroyed houses, while those whose homes were damaged will be entitled to P10,000 cash.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) 7 is still confirming what caused the fire, but the initial investigation suggested an “electrical ignition” was involved.

The fire was also traced to a two-storey house but SunStar Cebu is withholding the home owner’s name because he couldn’t be reached for comment.

Lea Japson, head of Cebu City’s Department of Social Welfare Services (DSWS) said her office has yet to process the the release of the cash aid.

She added that the DSWS was still profiling the fire survivors.

As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, around 385 displaced individuals were temporarily taking shelter in the barangay’s sports complex.

Japson said that her team will distribute meal packs to the fire survivors until Thursday.

In a separate interview, Mayor Tomas Osmeña told reporters that he will be extending aid to the displaced families in his personal capacity.

“Personally, I will give them tents. The City will provide the usual assistance,” he said.

During the firefighting operations, Fire Officer 1 John Rey Gallego of Engine 23 of Barangay Pahina-Central suffered a laceration on his right palm.

Some occupants and some witnesses will be invited to the Cebu City Fire Station.