Barangay San Pedro placed under state of calamity

• Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1371433307482/barangay-san-pedro-placed-under-state-of-calamity
• Thursday, June 4, 2015

By Gideon C. Corgue (ALT/GCC/PIA9-Zamboanga del Sur)

PAGADIAN CITY, June 4 (PIA) – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has declared barangay San Pedro under a state of calamity, thus authorizing the release of funds for mitigating measures.

Mayor Romeo P. Pulmones said in a special session on Tuesday morning, June 2, the SP discussed the recommendation of the Crisis Management Committee and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) to declare barangay San Pedro under state of calamity.

The CDRRMC, chaired by the good mayor, made the recommendation in view of the damage brought about by the massive fire that broke out Monday morning in barangays San Pedro and Santiago, causing an estimated P20 million damage.

The 4-hour fire gutted 1,500 houses, killed a 60-year old resident, and forced majority of residents to leave the area.

“We declared barangay San Pedro under a state of calamity to expedite the government’s rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts in barangay San Pedro which was greatly devastated by the fire,” Pulmones said during the press conference.

Pulmones said he approved the release of “quick response fund” for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to help the victims. Financial assistance of P1,500/family was immediately extended by the city government for their immediate needs.

He assured that the city government will give additional cash assistance to fire victims for them to rebuild their houses.

“Mohatag pa kita sa dugang nga cash assistance apan gihimo pa sa kagamhanang lokal ning dakbayan ang makuti nga pagsusi sa ngalan sa mga biktima sa sunog aron malikayan ang double entry,” Pulmones added.

(We will give additional cash assistance but the city government is doing a thorough assessment on the names of fire victims to avoid double entry.)

Pulmones said an initial P5-M was spent by the city government on the day of the fire to provide immediate needs of the victims especially food, water and other basic necessities.

He revealed that a technical team had already been dispatched in the area to speed up survey, for the lot owners to immediately rebuild their houses.

“We will do everything within our means to help the fire victims,” Pulmones concluded.