Non-food items needed for Lapu-Lapu fire victims

CEBU, Philippines - The Lapu-Lapu City government and the Philippine Red Cross are asking people to donate more non-food items to the fire victims in Sitio Arca, Barangay Pusok.

Vic Jay Gonzal, Red Cross chapter president in Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova, said the victims also need non-food items like kitchen utensils, blankets, mats and even toiletries.

“In times of disaster, any disaster, ang una gyud nato i-priority kay pagkaon pero wala nato tan-awa ang mga personal belongings sad sa mga victims... like mga toiletries nila,” Gonzal said.

Andy Berame, deputy officer of Lapu-Lapu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, said most of the fire victims did not have any kitchen utensils to use at the evacuation center.

The 292 families affected by the huge fire last Saturday are now temporarily staying at Pusok Elementary School. The city government through the City Social Welfare and Development Office has distributed food packs to the victims. Each pack consists of rice, sardines and noodles.

However, the victims are having trouble cooking their food even if they were given relief packs because of lack of utensils. Berame said the fire victims need cooking utensils, water containers and clothing.

All affected families are set to receive financial assistance from the city government ranging from P5,000 to P10,000. Social welfare officer Ermelita Degamo said house owners will get P10,000 each while renters will receive P5,000 each.

“As of this morning reported sa social workers, ang number of families is 292 with 1,500 individuals pero karon nibalik sila kay duna pa gyud kunoy wala ma-interview. Kanang atong mga renters and sharers sa balay. Siyempre, nagpuyo gud sila dinhi. Bisan nanarbaho sila dinhi unya nangabang apil baya na nato nga atong tabangan,” Degamo said. (FREEMAN)