Gov. Garcia offers ownership to Lahug fire victims

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia couldn’t thank his aunt, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, enough for the support extended to his administration.

Mayor Garcia said he felt like winning a lotto after the governor offered to sell the Capitol-owned lot where the fire victims in Sitio San Vicente in Barangay Lahug used to occupy for their permanent return.

“I think pag-anhi nato diri wa ta mahibawo unsay atong expectations. Pero karon mura’g nitin-aw na ug klaro na unsay atong direction. Ang atong pag-anhi diri mura ta og nakadaug og lotto,” Mayor Garcia said.

The mayor said he was expecting for the fire victims to be allowed to return to their previous dwelling, but they got more.

Aside from the offer of the lot sale, Gov. Garcia also extended help to the fire victims by giving P10,000 worth of housing materials.

“Kay atong gianhi diri makabalik ra ta, pero unsang pagkaunsa-a ang gi-offer sa gobernador nato dili lang kay makabalik ta, makapanag-iya pa gyud ta sa luna ug gihatagan pa gyud ta og card, wherein makapalit ta sa atong mga housing materials and anything that we need for our families,” Garcia added.

The City’s Public Information Office (PIO) also reported that the governor will provide an access road to the area were the fire victims’ homes will be.

In a meeting at the Capitol on Tuesday, March 25, Governor Garcia told the fire victims that they may avail themselves of the housing loan program under the Pag-IBIG Fund so that they can fully claim the ownership of the lot they are occupying, just like what the Capitol is offering with the occupants of the 93-1 lots and OPPRA.

As to the P10,000 financial assistance, the amount will not be given as cash to the fire victims.

The Capitol PIO reported that the amount will be contained in a quick-response or QR-coded card for the beneficiaries to use to purchase groceries and housing materials from the Capitol’s partner merchants or stores.

The purpose is to ensure that the assistance will be used for the intended purpose.

The fire that hit Sitio San Vicente in Barangay Lahug on the evening of Feb. 27 displaced over 70 families after the blaze destroyed over 40 houses. — /JG (FREEMAN)