DESPITE losing their homes and properties, 49 families who survived a fire that hit Barangay Lawaan 3 in Talisay City can still celebrate the holidays with renewed hope.
The Talisay City government on Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, distributed the financial assistance it had promised to fire survivors, three days after the blaze hit the village.
The distribution of cash aid was spearheaded by Mayor Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas Jr.
Forty-seven families whose houses were destroyed by the fire each received P10,000 in financial assistance.
The City also extended P5,000 in cash aid to a renter, while a family whose house was damaged received P2,000.
Gullas said he had directed the City Social Welfare Services Office (CSWSO) to fast-track the processing of the cash assistance so that the fire survivors could start anew, especially with the holidays just around the corner.
The mayor also expressed his gratitude to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 for extending food packs to fire survivors.
The 49 families, or at least 200 individuals who lost their homes in the Tuesday dawn blaze, received sacks of relief goods that contained rice, noodles and canned goods from the DSWD.
“The City pledged free breakfast, lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Thursday (Dec. 10 to 12). Once the free meals were finished, we came back yesterday (Dec. 13) to distribute the financial assistance that the City promised to the fire victims so they can start over again,” Gullas said.
“Following calls we have made to their agency to assist the affected fire victims, DSWD immediately came to our assistance by providing food packs and all kinds of aid as well,” he added.
The City is still accepting donations in kind and cash for the fire survivors through “Oplan Tabang” (Operation Help).
Fire survivors’ immediate needs include potable water, clothes, kitchen utensils, sleeping materials, food and housing materials, among others.
“Aside from the City, the Oplan Tabang was also organized by the Local Youth Development Office (LYDO) and the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation of Talisay. For interested donors, you can contact Ma’am Bebeth Solana of the CSWSO, my office, or the offices of LYDO and the SK office,” Gullas said. /FMD / RTF