MANDAUE CITY, Cebu – At least a thousand Oponganons will be homeless this Christmas after a huge fire engulfed their homes in the coastal community of Sitio Sta. Maria in Barangay Pusok at past 1 p.m. on Tuesday.
The fire in Barangay Pusok happened 24-hours after a blaze also struck a firecracker factory in Barangay Babag, killing four people, including the owner.
In an advisory, the Lapu-Lapu City Public Information Office (PIO) said that at least 300 homes were burned in the Tuesday afternoon fire that broke out in Barangay Pusok less than two weeks before Christmas.
“Grabe kaayu ni ang atong gidangatan karon kay mao na kini ang pinakadakong sunog nga natala sa kasaysayan sa atong syudad. Ginoo ko, tabangi kami nga mahatagan og kalig-on ang mga biktima sa pait nga sitwasyon nga nahimutangan nila karon,” Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan said.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan inspects the fire site in Barangay Pusok. | PIO photo
Following the fire, Mayor Chan ordered the cancellation of Christmas parties in all offices at the Lapu-Lapu City Hall.
“Dili karon ang panahon nga mag-party2 samtang aduna kitay mga kaigsuonan nga nag-ping-it sa kalisud tungod sa nahitabong sunog. Ang pundo nga atong paga-gastuhon unta sa christmas party atong ihalad isip donation para sa mga pamilyang naapektahan,” he said.
A resident cries at the sight of her burning house. | PIO photo
The displaced families were immediately evacuated while validation was being conducted by personnel of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWS) in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Medics attend to a resident. | PIO photo
Ongoing listing and validation of fire-affected families. | Photo from FB of Junard “Ahong” Chan
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