A total of sixty families who lost their homes in a fire that broke out yesterday evening in the City of Mati have received cash assistance and relief goods during this afternoon’s aid distribution.
Each of the families received P3,000 immediate cash assistance from the Governor and donations extended through him by a business group. The families also received foodpacks, non-food items like toiletries and blankets. The PBA Party list also donated 60 containers of distilled water.
Stress debriefing and psychosocial interventions were also conducted by the Philippine National Red Cross.
As of the latest official report, 44 houses were totally destroyed while two were partially damaged from the fire.
Governor Nelson Dayanghirang who led the distribution expressed his deep sorrow on the tragic incident that not only left the victims homeless but also claimed the lives of three children.
Following the distribution, Governor Dayanghirang called a meeting at Barangay Central Hall to facilitate the smooth flow of interventions for the fire victims.
Among his directives is to fast track the distribution of emergency cash assistance to the families by next week. Based on the agreement made, Barangay Central will give P 5,000 financial assistance to those families whose home were totally damaged and P3,000 for those with partially damaged.
The Provincial Government and City Government of Mati, on the other hand, have each committed to give P10,000 for those with totally damaged houses and P5,000 for those with partially damaged homes. Financial assistance of P10,000 for each death casualty will also be given to the bereaved families.
City Mayor Carlo Rabat also committed to provide a relocation site consisting of 40 lots for the victims.
Meanwhile, Governor Dayanghirang will request the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to supply some of the confiscated logs to the fire victims to be used in rebuilding their homes.
He instructed Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office Head Sarah Gudes to coordinate with the Provincial Engineering Office for the materials that will be needed in the construction of houses. The City and Provincial Government have also agreed to give financial counterpart for the cost of the 1,008 galvanized iron sheets needed by the families to build their new homes.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) will request the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police to conduct a Bayanihan Project to build new homes for the fire victims.
Meanwhile, Punong Barangay Danny Macaubos suggested the establishment of overhead tanks in Barangay Central for emergency purposes, considering that his barangay is the most densely populated among all barangays in the city. Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan
