'Let us help them rebuild their homes, lives,' Councilor appeals for Molo fire victims
ESTANTE
Monday's fire that gutted over a hundred shanties and left over a thousand homeless in Barangay North Baluarte, Molo, Iloilo City would need a lot of help from the City Government. Yet the fire victims could also use outside assistance from the community.
As such, Councilor Ely Estante appealed yesterday to civic groups, private organizations and every Ilonggo saying "let us help them rebuild their homes and lives. More than ever, it's time to rally behind our affected brothers and sisters, more so as we take time to reflect this season of Lent. A shirt, a can of sardines or a kilo of rice can go a long way. Let this help begin in us."
With nearly three hours of fire that gathered the entire force of the city's fire volunteer groups, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) here and those from nearby Iloilo towns, families whose homes turned into ashes were placed under temporary shelter. Until rehabilitation efforts led by the city government goes into full force, these fire victims will have to contend with cramped living conditions in government schools and aid from the city's Social Welfare Department.
Estante was among those officials who rushed into the fire scene with a follow-up visit the day after. Seeing the huge damage in the barangay, the former broadcaster decided to make the rounds and personally appeal for help. Among those he initially sought help from were former associates and colleagues in the local media saying, "I know from experience that times like this opens our hearts. It is not all news for us."
"We do not have much but if we pool our efforts and resources on top of the aid from the City Government, I am confident we will be able to at least give these affected families a jumpstart. And give them hope so they can move on from Monday's unfortunate incident," Estante said.
City Fire officials made a partial estimate of damage that reached P7 million. Two of the fire victims, one a pregnant resident were rushed by fire personnel to the hospital yet given the massive extent of the fire, authorities are saying they are still on a positive note that no fatalities were recorded.
Emergency rescue was hampered though by the location of the burning houses most of whom were at least 10 to 15 meters away from the roadside. There was also not enough space for fire trucks to penetrate the area as firefighters tried to gain access for ground emergency response.
Official cause of fire has yet to be established however fire probers are looking into reports that faulty electrical wiring and electric 'jumpers' caused the incident. Radio accounts also disclosed of a group of youngsters playing with matches that was spotted and could also have sparked the fire.