Hontiveros seeks immediate release of aid for fire victims

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros, who now serves as mayor in an acting capacity, has called on concerned City Hall departments to fast-track the release of cash assistance for the fire victims of barangays Lahug and Mambaling.

Hontiveros will serve as an acting mayor until March 9 as Mayor Raymond Garcia is out-of-town.

Before leaving, Garcia appealed to the City Council to declare a state of calamity for barangays Lahug and Mambaling. This way, the City Government through its calamity fund can distribute financial aid and housing materials to the fire victims.

Last Tuesday, the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC) has recommended for the declaration of the state of calamity, after officials from these barangays approved separate resolutions for the purpose.

The two fire incidents left more than 1,000 individuals homeless. The fire in Sitio San Vicente, Lahug, happened on Feb. 27, while the fire in Sitio Badjaosnons-Naba, Mambaling occured on March 3.

Garcia has allowed the affected residents of Lahug to re-build their homes on it s original location but not the ones in Mambaling being under a supposedly  no-build and danger zone."

The City Council acted on it right away and expected the executive department to do the same.

Hontiveros when asked by The Freeman for updates said he coordinated with the concerned departments to have the financial assistance released today or over the weekend.

Meanwhile, fire-affected families in Barangay Mantuyong, Mandaue City, received financial assistance from the Mandaue City Government to support them in rebuilding their homes.

Homeowners received P10,000 each, while renters and sharers were given P5,000.

A total of 158 families were identified by the City Social Welfare and Services Office (CSWSO) as eligible for the financial assistance.

Of the 158 families, 75 are homeowners, while 83 are renters.

Mayor Glenn Bercede led the distribution of financial assistance on March 6, 2025, at the Mantuyong Barangay gymnasium where the fire victims are currently staying.

Apart from the financial assistance, the City Government also distributed Tabang Mandaue kits and relief packs from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) to the fire victims.

Bercede, in an interview with reporters, said that the families will be able to return to their respective homes.

 Makabalik ra sila, wala may notice diri nga di pabalikon. Adto gihapon sila,  said Bercede.

After the distribution of financial assistance, the mayor said that the families could return to their locations.

Since the fire that broke out on Monday, March 3, marked the fourth major fire in Barangay Mantuyong following incidents in 1992, 2007, and 2016 Bercede emphasized the need for extra caution, especially with the current hot weather.

He added an information dissemination on fire safety is crucial for the city, even though fires may sometimes be unexpected.

In addition, Assistant to the City Mayor, Atty. Miguel Lumapas, said that the Bureau of Fire Protection Mandaue City (BFP-Mandaue) has been conducting an information drive in the community.

Lumapas said that this initiative is not limited for the month of March but is conducted year-round to educate Mandaue City residents about fire safety.

 We have fire safety information drive that educates residents on how to properly handle electrical systems and appliances,  said Lumapas.

He added that this year-round program of the BFP is regularly reported to Bercede, although incidents like these remained unavoidable.

As reported, the fire in Barangay Mantuyong was the third consecutive fire incident since the start of Fire Prevention Month, leaving 500 individuals homeless after 80 houses were reduced to ashes.

The Mandaue City Fire Station reported that the fire alarm was received at 2:46 p.m., raised to the first alarm at 2:58 p.m., and escalated to the second alarm at 3:07 p.m. Firefighters managed to put the blaze under control by 3:35 p.m. before it was declared out at 4:42 p.m.

No casualties or injuries were reported, but property damage was estimated at P759,000, covering a 1,500-square-meter area. -  Kristin de Dios, JG (CEBU NEWS)