Tom wants Kamputhaw under state of calamity

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has called on the City Council to hold a special session on Monday to place Barangay Kamputhaw under a state of calamity.

A morning fire last December 5 destroyed 107 houses affecting 194 families, or 716 individuals.

The homeless families are currently housed at the Purok 8 gymnasium and are hoping that they could rebuild their houses.

Last December 10, University of the Philippines (UP)-Cebu Chancellor Liza Corro said that they will lease the fire-stricken area to the victims.

UP owns the three-hectare property where the victims' houses were erected.

The session will focus on providing funds to the victims.

The regular session ended two weeks ago, so Vice Mayor Edgar Labella requested that all the members of the council to be present to discuss matters about the fire incident.

Cebu City Risk Reduction and Management Office Chief Nagiel Banacia said that it is important for the council to hold a session to talk about the disaster fund.

He said that the funds will be released if Kamputhaw will be declared under a state of calamity.

The city said it will give a P20,000 financial assistance to each family affected by the incident.

Kamputhaw Barangay Captain Jessica Cadungog said that the victims are in good condition but they still cannot reconstruct their houses yet.

She said that a meeting with UP must be set first before further actions.

"Nag-send na og communication pero wala pay schedule (to meet), after Christmas pa siguro," Cadungog said.

However, Division of the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) Chief Genevieve Alcoseba said that the formal communication to be sent to UP is still being drafted with the Local Housing Board.

The DWUP and the Department of Engineering and Public Works are already marking the property for a reblocking scheme.

To recall, Alcoseba said that the reblocking plan will be presented to UP.

Alcoseba said that the letter will be sent to the university on Monday morning.