City aids fire victims

THE City Government of Baguio recently aided the victims of a fire incident in Marcoville village last Friday.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan said they immediately extended help through the Office of the City Social Welfare and Development (OCSWADO) to more than 50 fire victims.

Domogan said the City Government through social welfare and development officer Betty Fangasan gave a week’s supply of rice, blankets, and other needs to some 18 families who were affected by the fire. The mayor also shelled out from his personal money and extended help.

“We distributed to them the city’s assistance together with officials of Barangay Marcoville. They were also given red bags with identification which will serve as their passes in succeeding assistance that will be given by the city,” he said.

He said the OCSWADO will process the cash assistance to be given to affected residents as well as the rice allowance which will be given while the families are going to rebuild their homes.

Based on the existing city ordinance, totally damaged houses will receive P20,000 grant from the city to help them rebuild their homes while partially damaged houses will be given a corresponding cash from P5,000 to 15,000 based on the amount of damage their houses incurred, he said.

An estimated P1.5 million in damages were reported to the barangay by the affected families in the fire that reached alert level 3 which started from 11 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Friday.

Baguio Fire Marshal Joe Fernand Bangyod claimed the affected houses were once part of the Old Staff House of the Philippine National Railways built in the 1950s and made out of old pine wood and other light materials that are highly combustible.

Initial investigations revealed the main cause of fire was faulty electrical wiring as the electrical connection in the first affected house is already several decades old.

The fire marshal called on affected residents to cooperate with their office in the investigation as they will issue the corresponding fire clearance certificates. No estimate of damage was given as of press time as affected residents are yet to declare the value of their damaged properties, he added.

He also advised residents not to immediately rebuild in the area while fire investigation is ongoing and the safety of the structures is not ensured.

Affected families are now staying with their relatives while others stay at the designated evacuation centers at the barangay day care center and hall and the gym of DPS barangay.