Fire victims receive financial aid

THE local government has released more than P100,000 as financial assistance to families affected by fire that hit some villages recently.

Mayor Celso Lobregat and City Councilor Abdurahman Nuño handed over on Wednesday the cash assistance to representatives of the 29 families whose houses were either razed to the ground or partially damaged by fire incidents.

Lobregat said owners whose houses were razed received P5,000 each, while those whose houses were damaged received P3,000 each.

Lobregat said the house sharers and house renters also received P3,000 each.

He said the amount distributed is intended to help the fire victims alleviate their plight, and not necessarily to help rebuild their dwellings.

He said the financial assistance to calamity victims is part of the city’s continuing thrust in social services.

The beneficiaries of the cash assistance included three families affected by fire in the village of Tugbungan last June 6 and 26, and in the village of Talon-Talon last July 23.

Of the 29 house owners - 13 received P5,000 each as their houses were destroyed while 16 received P3,000 each.

The total cash assistance released on Wednesday amounted to P113,000, which was taken from the city’s emergency fund, said City Social Welfare and Development officer Francisco Barredo.

Barredo facilitated the distribution of the cash assistance. He also takes charge in the assessment of the beneficiaries.

Nuño, for his part, urged the beneficiaries to make proper use of the cash assistance. (Bong Garcia)