VICTIMS of the June 25, 2025, fire in Sitio Mananga 2, Barangay Tabunok, Talisa City, will remain in evacuation centers until the local government unit (LGU) clears them to return home.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 7 Director Shalaine Lucero, in an SMS interview with SunStar Cebu on Monday, June 30, 2025, said that families who lost their homes typically stay in evacuation centers until they can rebuild until they are able to rebuild their homes.
"Usually the families will stay in the EC [evacuation center] until they are able to build back their houses," Lucero said.
“For the renters, they usually look for other houses where they could rent”, she added.
Lucero said that the agency's response team continues to coordinate with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) to process LGU requests for food and non-food items.
“The City Action Team of DSWD is providing ongoing support to the local government unit (LGU) in managing evacuation centers, validating data, and conducting monitoring activities”, she added.
Financial assistance and relief goods are being distributed to the fire victims. Families whose houses were totally damaged received P20,000 each, while those with partially damaged houses received P10,000 each. Affected individuals living in shared or rented houses also received P10,000.
The LGU continues to provide hot meals, food packs, and modular tents, and is also extending financial aid.
According to DSWD Region 7 data, the fire affected 248 families, or 1,000 individuals. A total of 156 houses were damaged, with 140 completely destroyed and 16 partially damaged.
Initial reports from Superbalita Cebu estimate the fire damage at over P2.5 million.
The fire reportedly started in Purok Jacinto Zamora and also severely affected Purok Jose Rizal and Purok Julian Felipe. Welding sparks landing on garbage are believed to be the cause of the fire. (Necolyn Claire Balansag, CNU Intern)