Lahug fire victims cleared to rebuild homes

CEBU, Philippines — Fire victims from Sitio San Vicente Ferrer in Barangay Lahug Cebu City have finally received entry permits allowing them to rebuild their homes on a Capitol-owned lot.

The Division for the Welfare of Urban Poor (DWUP) handed out a total of 42 entry permits to fire victims at their original dwelling site.

This development came after Governor Gwen Garcia granted the city government’s request to allow the fire victims to return to the Cebu Province-owned lot.

Mayor Raymond Garcia attended the turnover of permits alongside City Councilor Joel Garganera and Lahug Barangay Captain Hazel Ann Empleo.

Garcia thanked the fire victims for their patience while waiting for new developments.

Around 170 families were left homeless in late February after a fire razed their homes. Some of the victims, however, were only sharers and renters.

In addition, the governor has offered to sell the lot to the fire victims through the Pag-IBIG Fund.

“Daghang salamat sa inyong pasensiya, sa inyong paghuwat og dugay, pagpaminaw, ug finally ang inyong…willingness bitaw nga you will be able to buy or purchase your own land. Importante kani atong buhaton dili lang ni para nato, para pod ni sa atong mga anak ug atong mga apo, nga finally you will live and sleep in homes that you own,” Mayor Garcia said.

“Pinaka importante nga starting from now…this is now the time nga we can tell ourselves that we will finally own our own lot. Ug dili na gyud ta mahadlok nga ugma wa na tay balay kay gipapahawa na ta. Di na na mahitabo, kay kamo nay tag-iya sa inyong kaugalingong luna,” Mayor Garcia added.

Rose Dianne Rensulat, president of the San Vicente Homeowners Association, said they are just waiting for Pag-IBIG Fund representatives to meet with them and discuss the possible loan.

“Ang among home lot is amoa i-register under Pag-IBIG housing loan. Siguro, mangayo mi og update kung kanus-a mi mag-meeting sa Pag-IBIG, mahisgotan kung unsay kailangan namong mga requirements, dayon ang pricing,” Rensulat said through the city’s Public Information Office. — (FREEMAN)