• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
When it rains, it pours for the 57 homeless families at Purok Pasil in Barangay Zone 5, Talisay City, Negros Occidental.
The 57 families who have been temporarily staying at the Talisay City gym after their respective homes burned on February 4, got a total of P25,000 financial assistance each, on top of P2.1 million in shelter assistance and goods coming from various local government units, non government organizations, and individuals who requested anonymity, according to City Social Welfare and Development Officer Dionela Madrona.
Talisay City Mayor Neil Lizares, who led the distribution of P5,000 assistance which came from his family, to each of the affected families, disclosed that they are also studying the possibility of establishing a housing project in the area.
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 left 213 individuals homeless.
Of the financial assistance, Madrona said the amount of P10,000 came from the city government, and P5,000 each from Brgy Zone 5, Uswag Ilonggo, and from the family of Mayor Lizares.
She also reported that various LGUs, including the Victorias City government, gave assorted goods worth P950,630, non government organizations gave P874,100 worth of housing materials, household items and kitchen wares, sleeping kits, as well as other goods from NGOs, and P309,250, worth of food and goods from private donors.
Personnel of the City Health Office and CSWDO also attended to the medical and other basic needs of IDPs at the Talisay City gym.
Madrona said other private individuals sponsored meals for the internally displaced persons (IDPs), who are expected to return to their newly constructed homes on Sunday.
In recognition of the many blessings they received, the fire victims also took their turns in thanking the Talisay City government, Angels Wings Foundation, HDL Corporation, aside from other donors, for addressing their basic needs.*
