Fire victims in Labangon get assistance from DSWD

CEBU, Philippines - While the fire victims in Barangay Labangon, Cebu City have already received 200 packs of ready-to-eat arroz caldo from the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7, the affected families in Barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City have to wait until their local government unit has requested for the same assistance from the agency.

A fire broke out in Labangon around 1 a.m. Sunday, destroying 20 houses and leaving 39 families homeless. An hour after, another fire struck a densely populated area in Pusok where at least 200 families lost their homes.

DSWD-7 spokesperson Leah Quintana said they are still waiting for Barangay Pusok to submit their request for food assistance and the final list of the fire victims before they can distribute the food packs intended to augment the supply of the local government.

“In case they need augmentation, we are always ready,” said Quintana.

Quintana said the listing of the victims in the said barangay was still ongoing as of yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Cebu City’s Department of Social Welfare and Services has already distributed food packs to the victims in Labangon, who are temporarily staying at the old barangay hall.

DSWD head Lea Japson said each household will also receive financial assistance amounting to P20,000 and housing materials such as 10 pieces of plywood and galvanized iron sheets.

Japson said they are still in the process of preparing the documents for the distribution of the financial aid.

Division of Welfare for the Urban Poor head Genevieve Alcoseba said they are planning to reblock the portion of the fire-stricken area which is owned by the city government. The remaining portion of the lot is privately owned.

The city government will provide P12,000 rental subsidy intended for a three-month rental payment for the fire victims while waiting for the affected areas to be reblocked.

However, Japson said they have yet to finalize where they would charge the funds.

Based on their initial discussion with City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office head Nagiel Bañacia, the subsidy may be charged under the calamity funds.

The rental subsidy program initiated by Mayor Tomas Osmeña is aimed to save on expenses for evacuees staying in evacuation center such as gymnasiums and schools. (FREEMAN)