FIRE victims at Purok Langis, Barangay Banago in Bacolod City are asking for help to sustain their daily needs, the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) said.
DSSD head Pacita Tero said Thursday, July 21, that a total of 125 affected families lack food, clothes, canopy, beddings, pillows, and kitchenware.
On Wednesday morning, the fire hit 26 houses (not 31 as initially reported) at Purok Langis where one was killed while two others were injured.
The fatality was identified as Roland Embediado, 40.
Injured were Randy Barroquiña and his wife Flordeleza, both 43.
During the validation, Tero said they determined that only 25 houses were destroyed and one damaged, and some of the occupants were only sharers.
Senior Fire Officer 3 Marc Stephen Trajeras, chief investigator of BFP, had earlier said the fire started from the house of Lorenza Tella-in, 79, around 1:30 a.m.
Embediado, who was suffering from epilepsy, tried to help some of his neighbors, but when he returned to his house he was trapped.
The fire started at Tella-in’s living room where a lighted candle was left unattended.
Tero said most of the affected families refused to stay at the day care center. They put up a canopy so that they could repair their houses, she added.
She said they are now facilitating the documents for the release of financial assistance for the victims.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia earlier said that they are studying to increase the financial assistance for the fire victims -- from P5,000 to P10,000 for those with destroyed houses, and P5,000 for residents with damaged houses instead of P3,000 only.
Tero said Embediado’s family will also receive financial assistance.
The DSSD has received donations from government officials and private individuals, but Tero said these are still not enough.
For those who are willing to help, Tero said the social workers are accepting donations at the day care center of Purok Langis.