Basak San Nicolas placed under state of calamity

CEBU, Philippines —  Barangay Basak San Nicolas in Cebu City has been declared under state of calamity starting yesterday after the two separate fire incidents happened last Sunday.

Barangay Captain Norman Navarro said the declaration is necessary in order to release assistance from the government to help the fire victims.

The first incident happened in Sitio Caimito early in the morning while the second fire erupted in Seaside Alumnos in the afternoon.

Navarro said at least 117 houses and 141 families were affected by the incident.

He assured the barangay has enough funds to provide assistance for the affected residents, and the Department of Social Welfare Services also provided assistance like food for the victims.

Navarro said the victims are currently in the evacuation center located at Basak Community School at the back of the barangay gym.

Inside the gym, 24 tents were also put up for the affected families to stay.

Navarro said during the bigger fire incident at Seaside Alumnos that the problem encountered by the responders was the very narrow entrance going to the area.

“Naglisod ang atong mga bombero pagresponde kay di gyud makaduol, di gyud makasud, so nahitabo nagsumpay-sumpay nalang sa hose nga maabot gyud didto sa area. Pero tungod sa kakusog sa hangin ug kainit sa panahon, wa gyud tawon nila matabang,” he said.

Navarro assured that the victims can return to the area, but after some developments.

“Makabalik ra sila og tukod. Before sila makabalik, abunohan usa una... naa nama’y plano ang gobyerno ana nga abunohan gyud na siya,” he said.

“Karon, paningkamotan sad kay nakig-estorya ko ni Konsehal Edu Rama, nisaad siya nga iyang paningkamutan nga maabunohan gyud,” he added. — GMR (FREEMAN)