CEBU, Philippines - The city's Department of Social Welfare Services (DSWS) is now in the process of validating the list of survivors in the fire that hit Sitio SYC Sikatuna in Barangay Day-as last Saturday night so it will know how many will have to be given assistance.
"Mag-validate ta aron atong maklaro kung pila gayud sa kinatibuk-an ang apektado sa sunog ug dili magbalik-balik ang listahan," said Jelena Flores of DSWS
Aside from the actual number of survivors, the city would also want to know who and how many of the survivors own the lots where their houses used to stand.
As of yesterday, the city recorded 103 families (345 individuals) affected by the fire. Twenty-two houses were destroyed while two were damaged.
The survivors are staying temporarily at the barangay's sports complex.
Day-as Barangay Captain Jerome Puerto said he will call for an emergency session so that a state of calamity can be declared and barangay funds can be used to help the victims.
Many of the survivors are asking for help from the public as they weren't able to save their belongings.
"Wala mi nabitbit tungod kay daghan namo nangompra kay panahon man sa tingluto ug panihapon ug uban naa sa trabaho," a survivor said.
Chief Inspector Rogelio Bongabong, Cebu City Fire Marshall, said, "Amo imbitaron ang tag-iya sa panimalay asa nagsugod ang sunog aron among mahibaw-an kung unsa gayud ang hinungdan sa sunog tungod kay daghan kaayo mga rason nga gihatag."
Initial reports had it that the fire started at the ground floor of the house owned by a certain Anthony Conejos. (FREEMAN)