• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A declaration of a state of calamity is needed to access funds for possible financial assistance to be extended to the 106 families affected by the massive fire on September 6 in Barangay 5, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, which destroyed 85 houses and partially damaged two others, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief Joe Ricalex Alingasa disclosed on Monday.
The affected families, composed of 328 individuals, are temporarily staying at the covered court of Brgy. 4 in San Carlos City, where the City Social Welfare and Development Office are providing their basic needs, such as food and non-food items.
Alingasa said that members of Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Committee of Brgy. 5 in San Carlos City are set to convene, to declare the affected area under a state of calamity, so that they can use their Quick Reaction Fund (QRF).
If that is not enough, he added that the BDRRM may seek the help of the San Carlos City government, through its CDRRMO.
According to the investigation of the Bureau of Fire and Protection, Alingasa said the fire was triggered by unattended lit cigarettes.
Two of the suspects, who occupied a house where the fire started, immediately surrendered to police. Their companions are still at large, as of this time, Alingasa further said.
Estimated value of the damage was reported by the BFP at P750,000.
The 3,000 square meter area, which was hit by fire, was reportedly a drug haven, where the selling of illegal drugs is allegedly rampant.
The area was also reported as a property of the Philippine National Bank being occupied by informal settlers.
Alingasa said he is not aware if the PNB will allow the informal settlers in the property to reconstruct their burned houses.*
