Bacolod fire victims get P257K aid

By Dolly Yasa and Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Around 35 families affected by the fire that hit Purok Matigayon, Barangay 10 here on February 16, 2023 received financial assistance from Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya.

Gasataya personally distributed the financial assistance to the fire victims at the BAYS Center where they are temporarily housed.

The lawmaker said he is thankful for the speedy release of the funds he requested from the national office of the Department of Social Services and Development.

Fire survivors whose houses were destroyed by the fire received P10,000 each while owners of damaged houses received P5,000 each.

Renters and sharers received P3,000 each.

Gasataya said he also ordered the delivery of 500 pieces of GI sheets to the barangay as personal assistance from his office which was turned over to Barangay 10 officials who will distribute the materials to the fire victims

He said that this is over and above the assistance earlier delivered by his office during the fire incident.

Meanwhile, the City Government of Bacolod will increase the financial assistance to the families affected by the fire.

Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez said families whose houses were destroyed will receive P15,000 each, P10,000 for the damaged houses, and P7,000 for the sharers.

Benitez also said the city government offered the relocation program to the affected families, but most of them chose to stay in the area.

The fire destroyed 21 houses while 10 others were damaged.

Arson investigators said the origin of the fire, which gobbled P155,000 worth of properties, might be electrical in nature.

Aside from the DSWD, fire victims also received P10,000 cash assistance from the local government, and in-kind assistance from the office of Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go.