Bacolod releases cash aid to 117 fire-hit families

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The city government has released PHP 1.25 million in financial assistance to 117 families affected by recent fire incidents.

Mayor Greg Gasataya led the payout held Tuesday at the Bacolod City College (BCC) gymnasium as part of the city’s effort to provide immediate relief and support long-term housing solutions for displaced residents.

The beneficiaries included 62 families from Barangay 10, 19 from Barangay Banago, 18 from Barangay 26, 11 from Barangay Singcang-Airport, five from Barangay Bata, and two from Barangay Alijis.

The Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) facilitated the distribution, which included PHP 15,000 for families whose homes were totally destroyed, PHP 10,000 for those with partially damaged homes, and PHP 5,000 for renters and sharers.

The assistance was sourced from the city’s emergency reserve fund.

Gasataya also discussed recovery plans with the affected residents.

While some families intend to rebuild on their existing lots, the city government is encouraging relocation to safer, government-developed areas.

In a media interview Tuesday, Gasataya emphasized the urgency of moving families from fire-prone and high-risk zones, especially those near creeks and riverbanks.

“On the part of the city, we gave an urgent instruction to the Bacolod Housing Authority (BHA) to double their efforts in developing the remaining areas of the relocation site,” Gasataya said.

He added that aside from fire victims, other families living along waterways have also been identified for relocation.

The city, in coordination with the BHA, is working to complete the development of relocation sites as soon as possible.

The mayor assured beneficiaries that the city government will continue to support them through recovery and rebuilding.