THE City Government of Bacolod will now increase the financial assistance to the families affected by the fire in Purok Magtiayon, Barangay 10, on Thursday, February 16, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said Monday, February 20.

Benitez said families whose houses were destroyed will receive P15,000 each in financial assistance, P10,000 for the damaged houses, and P7,000 for the sharers.

Sally Abelarde, head of the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD)-Bacolod City, earlier said a total of 35 families were displaced due to the incident.

The investigation showed that the fire started at the house owned by Edson Lorania, who was not around when the incident happened.

The fire immediately spread to other houses, which are also made of light materials.

Benitez said the city government offered the relocation program to the affected families, but most of them chose to stay in the area.

He said he also talked with the officials of Barangay 10 to make an intervention to prevent a similar incident.

"We need to find a better solution, and we need to formalize them to provide a housing program to address all their issues," he added.

The mayor disclosed that he already tasked the barangay officials to review and ask the residents to provide them with a better solution that conforms with the city's ordinances.*