BACOLOD City Government declared Wednesday Barangay 19 as under a state of calamity after 17 people were killed and 62 houses were affected during last Monday's blaze in the area.

The declaration was made during the regular session of the City Council at the New Government Center (NGC) presided by Councilor Greg Gasataya.

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It was approved by councilors Alex Paglumotan, Homer Bais, Napoleon Cordova, Roberto Rojas, Celia Flor, Catalino Alisbo, Reynold Iledan and Diosdado Valenzuela, who were present in Wednesday’s session, through the request of City Mayor Evelio Leonardia who had asked the council to pass a resolution declaring Barangay 19 to be in the state of calamity due to the fire that razed the said barangay.

The request was made pursuant to the provisions of Section 5(b.3) in conjunction with Section 3(d) of the Rules and Regulations Implementing Republic Act (RA) 8185.

Last Tuesday, Barangay 19 officials already declared their area in a state of calamity at their level in order to use the calamity funds of the village for the affected families.

Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson said that upon the declaration, the said barangay could use the calamity fund for the relief and rehabilitation of the victims of the tragedy.

He said on the part of the City Government, the Department of Social Service and Development (DSSD) is in charge in the distribution of assistance to the fire victims in the barangay, especially for destroyed and damaged houses.

Sayson lauded the Bacoleños for their support to the fire victims in Barangay 19, noting that even at a very short notice, the people of Bacolod immediately show their support to the victims.

Sayson said the office of the DSSD is in charge of all the donations that would be given to the fire victims. He said those who want to give donations to the victims should coordinate with the DSSD since members of the department were already trained on how to identify the victims as it has the copy of the victims’ master list.

Meanwhile, members of Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation handed out financial assistance Wednesday to the fire victims and affected families of Barangay 19. (MAP)