Dumaguete hands out P1M aid to fire victims

CEBU, Philippines - The Dumaguete City government released Thursday almost P1 million cash as financial assistance to fire victims at Barangay Looc, this city.

Outgoing city Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria personally distributed in his office the cash assistance to 113 fire victims, assisted by village chief Angelita Ragay of Looc.

The mayor explained, he would have wanted a bigger amount as financial assistance but COA requirements do not allow as the maximum amount is only P10,000 for totally damaged houses, P5,000 for partially damaged and P2,500 for the sharers or renters.

This is unlike the financial assistance coming from the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, where the maximum amount could reach up to P75,000.

Sagarbarria wanted more funds to be allotted for such purpose in the region to really help victims of calamities reconstruct their dwellings in the case of fire victims.

What can a P10,000 do with the prevailing cost of construction materials, said Sagarbarria, who is now congressman-elect of Negros Oriental.

He has instructed Engineer Erasto Crispo to provide the fire victims with temporary lightings as well as latrines so the problem of sanitation can be addressed.

On their relocation, Sagarbarria said he is entrusting the matter to the newly elected city mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo. — (FREEMAN)