527 homes razed in Mambaling fire

CEBU, Philippines — The massive fire that hit Sitio Lawis, Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City on evening Friday, November 26, 2021, displaced at least 700 families or 3,107 individuals and destroyed 527 houses.

In the wake of the fire, Mayor Michael Rama instructed the City Council to hold a special session today, November 28, to declare a state of calamity in the barangay.

Rama said he wants the cash assistance for the fire victims prepared in three days.

Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia said that it is possible for them to have a special session even on a Sunday.

“We cannot release the funds kung dili ta mo-declare og state of calamity. If there’s no declaration, we cannot use the disaster funds,” said Garcia.

According to Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office operations chief Harold Alcontin, the affected families are housed in 27 classrooms of Alaska Elementary School.

The city government has already installed poralets or portable toilets for men and women, as well as a bathroom, at the evacuation center.

Records of the Bureau of Fire Protection showed that at least 300 houses were razed and at least 1,500 individuals affected.

But the records of the Department of Social Welfare and Services showed 700 families living in 641 houses were affected and 3,107 individuals were displaced.

Property damage is estimated to be at P875,000.

Five persons were also reported injured.

Mayor Rama said that there is a need to focus on the affected coastal area and improve its situation.

When asked on the possibility of the victims living in the coastal area to be allowed to return there, he answered: “We will have to see to it because we do not want a repeat. Tukuran gihapon sila, pagkahuman sunog na sad? Unsa man na? We have to bring them to be a part of the solution.”

Rama said he will talk to the fire victims and have a meeting with the barangay’s leaders to discuss the matter.

“Number one instruction nako is simple: Until everything is in control, no going back unless they will be retrieving something. But no construction will be made, no fencing permit be issued,” he said.

A convergence group has been formed so that the city government could come up with an organized approach in addressing the crisis.

Immediate needs

Mambaling barangay captain Gines Abellana said the immediate needs of the victims are food, water, as well as areas where they could take a bath, among others.

Those who would like to donate, Abellana said, may directly give the donations to the barangay hall for repacking.

He said their available calamity fund is at around P200,000 but they will be using another source to reach the amount of P450,000 to be used in addressing the incident.

Investigation

A certain Rolly Siso, 39, bore the brunt of enraged neighbors after it was learned that he allegedly started the fire. Siso was mauled and shot before landing in the hospital.

Initial accounts showed that Siso was living in the house owned by a certain Marlyn Sitoy, which was occupied by a certain Ernie Maravillas.

Siso, who is allegedly Sitoy’s nephew, allowed the latter to put up a kubol-kubol in their compound where he could stay.

Neighbors directed their ire at him after reports circulated that he was the source of the fire. He also allegedly had a history of setting his shanty on fire before but was luckily doused by neighbors.

Siso was once jailed after being accused of using illegal drugs.

In a video that made rounds online, Siso was seen being beaten, thrown stone at, and shot by unidentified persons before falling into the nearby creek.

He also sustained a gunshot in his right torso and is now recuperating at the hospital.

The mauling incident was pacified when Special Weapons and Tactics personnel arrived.

Fire Officer 2 Fulbert Navarro, Cebu City Fire Department investigator, said they are still investigating further the matter with Siso being the focus. — Rowena D. Capistrano /JMD (FREEMAN)