BACOLOD City – Fire victims in Barangay 10 received financial assistance from the Department of Social and Welfare and Development (DSWD) yesterday at the Bacolod Arts and Youth Sports Center.
A total of 20 families whose houses were totally destroyed in the fire received P10,000 each; six families with partially damaged homes received P5,000 each; and nine sharer or renter families received P3,000 each.
On Feb. 16, a fire broke out in Purok Magti-ayon, Barangay 10, Bacolod City. The cost of damage was pegged at P155,000, with majority of the houses made of light materials.
There were no reported deaths, although several residents suffered minor injuries while trying to flee through the narrow passageways in the area or saving their belongings.
The office of Rep. Greg Gasataya facilitated the release of P257,000 in total cash aid for the 35 families. The office also distributed construction materials.
Fire victims expressed gratitude that they could begin rebuilding their homes.
This is on top of the cash aid to be given by the local government unit, according to Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) head Sally Abelarde.
Abelarde also said the city has yet to release the cash aid because there were still requirements to be met.
Earlier, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said the city government would increase the amount of financial assistance for the fire victims from P10,000 for the destroyed houses to P15,000; from P5,000 for damaged houses to P10,000; and for the sharers and renters from P3,000 to P7,000.
On Feb. 21, DSWD distributed P10,000 for each family affected by the fire./PN
