BACOLOD City – A total of 64 families displaced by recent fires in three barangays received financial assistance from the Bacolod City Government on March 10 as part of efforts to help victims recover and rebuild their homes.
The beneficiaries were residents of Barangays 2, 10, and Singcang-Airport.
Records from the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) showed that 20 families in Barangay 2 and six families in Barangay 10 were displaced after their houses were destroyed by the blaze.
Meanwhile, nine families in Barangay 2 had partially damaged houses, while four families each in Barangays 10 and Singcang-Airport also sustained damage.
The DSSD also recorded affected sharers and renters, including three in Barangay 2, 13 in Barangay 10, and four in Barangay Singcang-Airport.
Each family whose house was destroyed received P15,000, while those with damaged houses were given P10,000. Renters and sharers received P5,000 each, bringing the total assistance distributed to P665,000.
Mayor Greg Gasataya led the distribution of aid on March 10 under the city’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, which provides emergency financial support to residents affected by disasters.
One of the beneficiaries, Rosemary Mosqueda, 46, said the assistance would help her family begin rebuilding their home after it was reduced to ashes.
“We will use this assistance to rebuild our home using sand and hollow blocks so it will not easily catch fire again,” she said, expressing gratitude to the city government for the immediate aid.
Another recipient, Pacita Manayaga, 67, who lives alone in the same barangay, also lost her home in the fire. She has since put up a temporary tarpaulin shelter but stays with a neighbor during heavy rains.
Gasataya said the financial assistance was released without conditions to help affected families recover as soon as possible.
“This is for you. You don’t have any obligation to anyone. This assistance is given because you need help from the city,” the mayor told beneficiaries.
He also thanked DSSD head Richelle Verdeprado Mangga for promptly informing the city government about available funds, allowing faster processing and release of the assistance.
Also present during the payout were Jovelyn Canoy, head of the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), along with social workers and other city government personnel who assisted in facilitating the distribution.
Gasataya said the city government will also coordinate with barangay officials to distribute galvanized iron sheets to help families rebuild their homes.
He also reminded residents to practice fire safety, particularly when using candles, lighters, extension cords, and exposed electrical wiring.
The city government reiterated its commitment to assisting residents affected by disasters as they work to rebuild their homes and livelihoods./PN
