In Mandaue City: Red Cross offers to help rebuild fire

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Red Cross, through its chairman, Richard Gordon, yesterday offered to aid Mandaue City in building houses for the fire victims in barangays Mantuyong and Guizo.

“We help out very fast. If it’s okay with them, we’ll help right away,” said Gordon in an interview.

The PRC head visited the relocation site at the Cebu International Convention Center shortly after his plane touched down in Cebu yesterday, and said the area around the CICC should not be where the families should be building their homes, even if these are temporary, adding that it will only further deteriorate the infrastructure.

Gordon met with city administrator James Abadia to discuss the offer.

The former senator said based on their experience with other areas, they can build 121 houses a day. Each house, complete with a toilet, would cost P90,000 to P120,000, depending on the materials used.

He said they will build units similar to what they turned over to Yolanda victims in the north, adding that the PRC, under his administration, has built 73,000 houses all over Yolanda-struck communities.

He said they can do this right away if the local government can provide the lot and the funding.

PRC also distributed 2,348 family kits to all the displaced families following the fire last March 12. One kit includes a blanket, towels, and basic hygiene products, among others.

Gordon said they will also be providing additional tents, water bladders and tanks, and mobile kitchens to the victims. — (FREEMAN)