More aid to fire victims as Mandaue City Hall beefs up services

HELP ON THE WAY. Mandaue City fire victims line up for assistance at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) compound as City Hall pledges cash and material aid for them. (CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)

MANDAUE City Hall is expanding its services to the 2,359 families of Barangays Guizo and Mantuyong who were displaced by last Saturday’s fire.

Mandaue City Administrator James Abadia said the City Council’s approval declaring a state of calamity in these areas means they can source P38 million in quick response funds from the city’s P120 million calamity funds.

“We were initially overwhelmed by the number of victims and our food aid ended last Monday. But we saw the needs of the people and there is no rule that assistance should end in three days. The assistance will be given until the settlers can stand on their own. As of now, they’re unable to do that,” Abadia said.

The families are staying at the grounds of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) for the past few days.

“Use of the calamity fund is restricted by the election ban, but the election period is still on March 25,” Abadia said.

He said they estimated that they need P21 million to provide cash aid to 2,300 families alone.

Abadia said they are prioritizing food for the families and are tapping more departments to help them.

“My suggestion is that we use part of the P21 million for cash aid and the other for the material needs of the families in the proposed relocation site,” he said.

He said the relocation site needs more portalets, washing areas and community kitchens.

Mandaue City Hall’s General Services Office (GSO), City Environmental and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and clean and green volunteers were mobilized to help the victims.