THE Barangay Council of Day-as, Cebu City declared a fire-hit area in the barangay under a state of calamity yesterday afternoon.
According to Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) chief Nagiel Bañacia, 107 families lost their homes in the fire.
Bañacia also said the fire left 28 houses destroyed and two buildings damaged.
The Department of Social Welfare and Services is still verifying the total cost of damages because there are those who falsely listed themselves as victims, according to Barangay Councilor Nickelito Dingal.
u201cNagpadagan sila og list kay gi-check ni sa among mga tawo kon tinuod gyod ni ang uban. Naa silay na-verify nga dili gyod affected.” he said.
Dingal also said the victims are temporarily relocated at the Day-as Sports Complex, which has proper sanitation and water facilities.
Day-as Barangay Captain Jerome Puerto is yet to negotiate with the owners of the privately-owned lots to confirm whether or not the victims will be allowed to go back and rebuild their homes, Banacia said.
Negotiation
He also said the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) will also be assisting in the negotiation.
However, Dingal told Sun.star Cebu that there are already some owners who are not allowing the victims to rebuild.
The individuals that would not be allowed to rebuild would be temporarily relocated to a government-owned block at the North Reclamation Area, Dingal said.
Bañacia said the City Government will come in to clear the area of debris so tents can be set up there for temporary shelter.
He also said that the City Government has provided the victims with food and disaster kits. There are also other private sectors and foundations that have donated to the victims. Angiela Mae H. Conte, USJ-R Intern
