• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The 57 families who lost their homes during a fire on Feb. 4 in Purok Pasil, Barangay Zone 5, Talisay City, Negros Occidental received financial assistance of P25,000 each.
The cash aid is on top of the P2.1 million in shelter assistance and goods coming from various local government units, non-government organizations, and individuals who requested anonymity, City Social Welfare and Development Officer Dionela Madrona said on Thursday, Feb. 13.
The displaced families have been temporarily staying at the Talisay City gym.
Mayor Neil Lizares, who led the distribution of P5,000 assistance from his family, said they are studying the possibility of establishing a housing project in the affected area.
Madrona said the amount of P10,000 came from the city government while P5,000 each were given by Barangay Zone 5, Uswag Ilonggo partylist and the Lizares family.
Various LGUs, including Victorias City, gave assorted goods worth P950,630; NGOs, P874,100 worth of housing materials, household items, kitchenwares, sleeping kits and other goods; and private donors, P309,250 worth of food and other goods.
Personnel of the City Health Office and City Social Welfare and Development Office attended to the medical and other basic needs of the displaced families.
Madrona said other private individuals also sponsored meals to the affected families, who are expected to return to their newly-constructed homes on Sunday.
A loose electrical connection from an extension cord is being looked into by the Bureau of Fire and Protection as the possible cause of fire that affected 213 individuals. | GB
