BEFORE the Ibabao-Estancia fire victims can return to their lots, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes wants the area reblocked to ensure an access road in case of emergency.
Cortes also directed the Mandaue City Engineer’s Office (CEO) to reclaim the three-meter easement from the creek in Ibabao-Estancia, Mandaue City to widen the creek and put up dry hydrants.
“We can put up dry hydrants that could help the firefighters because there are areas that are not accessible by fire trucks,” said Cortes in a mix of Cebuano and English.
Cortes said he met with the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to have an inventory of fire hydrants installed all over the city and assess if these are still functional.
At least 701 families or 1,854 individuals were affected by the fire Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020.
Cortes said the fire victims will receive financial assistance from the City, amounting to P10,000 each for house owners and P5,000 each for renters and sharers.
The fire victims are occupying four classrooms of the Mandaue City Science High School, six classrooms of Ibabao-Estancia Elementary School and two daycare centers as temporary shelter.
However, Cortes said the victims can only stay until Wednesday, March 4.
Some of the fire victims pleaded for more time in the shelter but Cortes said he does not want to interrupt classes of schoolchildren for too long.
He said he will provide the fire victims with tents and portable toilets, which will be placed along G. Ouano Extention Street and in a two-way lane.
Cortes also encouraged the fire victims who are parents to be extra careful and look after their children. (KFD)