CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue City government has removed several families from the grounds of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) after it was discovered that they were not fire victims.
"Pag-check sa (City Social Welfare Services Office) nahibaw-an nga naay daghan naa sa CICC nga di fire victims," said City Spokesperson Roger Paler.
He said that from the 2,362 families previously listed the number is now down to 2,222, as 140 families were either not fire victims or fire victims with dual records.
Since March 12, he said, non-fire victims enjoyed free food and relief goods handed out by the city government and some private groups.
"Mora'g sa sugod pa lang, naka-benefit gyud ni sila. Pagkahibawo sa CSWS, gikuha ilang card. Wa man sad moreklamo," Paler said.
He said those claiming to be fire survivors were from Cebu City and when they heard the news that the fire victims were housed at the CICC, they moved there to take advantage of the outpouring of help.
Meanwhile, Paler said that as of this week, site development in the city-owned fire site has continued. He said the remaining structures in barangays Mantuyong and Guizo will be demolished as access roads will be created so fire trucks can get inside the property.
The city has earlier promised to complete the site development and the re-blocking process in four months.
During this time, all fire victims can stay at the CICC grounds, where some have already built temporary houses around the abandoned P700-million province-owned building.
Paler said one group from among the fire victims is against the re-blocking but majority reportedly favored it. (FREEMAN)