Lapu-Lapu fire victims to get cash aid

CEBU, Philippines —  Families affected by a fire that broke out in Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City last August 23 are set to receive financial assistance from the government.

Forty residents from sitios Kadurong and Suba-Masulog were left homeless and a four-year-old child perished in a fire.

Annabeth Cuizon, head of City Social Welfare and Development Office, the cash aid for the fire victims is still being processed.

She said house owners and those whose houses were burned down will get P15,000 each from the city government and another P10,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7.

While renters and sharers will also get P5,000 each.

But the fire victims already received food packs, household items and free meals for three days from the city government.

Earlier, Lapu-Lapu City Lone District Representative Paz Radaza also distributed P70,000 worth of grocery items, kitchen wares and other household items to the affected residents.

She also paid a visit to the wake of the child, Malou Pailden, and promised the family that her office will shoulder the hospital bills of the mother, who is still confined at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.

The mother told authorities that she was asleep and woke up to find out that the bed was already on fire. Before she slept, she said that she saw her 4-year-old daughter playing with matches.

The mother saved her one-year-old child first. She went back to get Malou but failed as the fire became bigger.

The mother acquired first and second-degree burns while trying to save her child.

“Naa tay funds sa Sotto di-in matag Oponganon nga modangop sa atong opisina nga tua na admit, mahimo ra nga tabangan nato nga wala silay mabayran bisan piso sa ilang hospital bill,” said Radaza in a statement. — Romeo T. Limpangog, KQD (FREEMAN)