T. Padilla fire victims get help

CEBU, Philippines — The 80 families affected by fire in Barangay T. Padilla, Cebu City yesterday received assistance from the government and a private foundation.

The distribution of assistance was led by North District Rep. Raul Del Mar in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7, Department of Labor and Employment-7, and the Pilipinong May Puso Foundation of philanthropist Wen Velasco.

Each of the 500 individuals affected by the fire last July 9 was given food packs from DSWD containing six kilos of rice, canned goods, and coffee. There were also kitchen utensils from the foundation.

DOLE-7 enrolled the fire victims to the agency’s cash for work program wherein they are paid P366 a day for 10 days to clean their surroundings. DOLE-7 senior labor employment officer Fernando Lopez said that the program aims to help victims of calamities and other incidents.

Most of the fire victims are still living at the barangay gym while waiting for their relocation. Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) operation head Genevieve Alcoseba said the city government has advised the fire victims to look for their own relocation and the city will assist them.

'I-assist sila sa city kung naa na silay makit-an nga relocation, silay mangita n’ya kami mo-check kung angayan ba paliton or dili, kung angayan puwedi na paliton sa city or sa national,’’ Alcoseba said. Carl James T. Cabarles (FREEMAN)