2 city brgys declared as calamity areas

By Maricar M. Calubiran

The two barangays recently hit by fire can now spend their five percent calamity fund after they were declared by the Sangguniang Panlungsod under the state of calamity area. Millions of properties were destroyed and two people died during the fire which occurred Friday midnight.

In last Wednesday's regular session, the city council approved a resolution declaring Barangay Concepcion, City Proper and Zone 8 Calumpang under the state of calamity. The resolution was a joint resolution authored by Councilors Armand Parcon and Eduardo Peñaredondo. Parcon lives in Barangay Concepcion but luckily his house was spared from the fire. The fire instead razed another house. Unidentified looters also took away Parcon's refrigerator during the fire but it was returned later with no more goods inside.

The Local Government Code of 1991 empowers the Sangguniang Panlungsod to adopt measures in protecting the inhabitants of the city from the harmful effects of man made disaster and calamities and provide relief services and assistance for victims during and in the aftermath of said disaster or calamities and their return to productive livelihood following the said events.

The resolution will allow the concerned barangay to spend their five percent calamity fund to help the affected families. Under the law, the government could not extend cash assistance to the affected families. The help would be in form of food and clothing stuff.

In Concepcion alone, there are 46 families who were affected by fire. Mother and son Lerma and Ramon De La Cruz died during the fire. Two of De la Cruz siblings also suffered burns. The fire emanated from De la Cruz. It came from unattended lighted candle which caught a curtain. The fire immediately spread in the entire house.

There were 17 houses totally razed by fire and six were partially damaged. As immediate assistance, the affected families received food stuff and used clothing from the City Social Service Welfare Department (CSWD). Fire victims also sought shelter at the barangay's mini-gym and at A. Montes Elementary School.

In Zone 8, there were five houses totally razed and another one was partially damaged by fire. Number of families was also affected in a fire intentionally caused by Jessry Taytayan. He allegedly threw a kerosene lamp on their floor that started the fire. The suspect is now facing arson charges.

Copies of the resolution would be furnished to the City Budget Office, City Treasurers office, City Accountant and City Social Welfare Development Office for guidance. This will also speed up the release of the calamity fund.