Celso extends cash aid to fire, moonsoon victims
Mayor Celso Lobregat extended yesterday afternoon the city government’s cash assistance to 19 families whose houses were destroyed by a fire incident and a monsoon surge early last month.
Lobregat personally handed the checks for P5,000 each over to seven families whose houses were razed by fire that broke out in Baregon, Tugbungan last October 2. Two house owners (partially damaged) and three house-sharers received P3,000 each in checks.
The mayor also extended similar assistance to five families (P5,000 each) who lost their houses to a monsoon surge that occurred on the coast of Barangay Patalon last October 7. Two house-owners (partially) also received P3,000 each.
The cash distribution was held at City Hall conference room under the supervision of the City Social Welfare and Development Office represented by Social Officer Evelyn M. Las Marias and staff and a representative from the City Treasurer’s Office.
The grant of cash aid to victims of calamities is part of the city government’s intensified social services. The identification of beneficiaries is facilitated by the CSDWO.
Meanwhile, Mayor Lobregat declared that the city government will strictly comply with the law prohibiting the establishment of houses or structures along the shorelines, as these are considered environmentally hazardous areas.
It was learned that a number of those affected by the moonsoon surge in Patalon were also victims of the November 27, 2007 storm surge. Despite the warning, they reconstructed their houses along the shorelines, thus, the unfortunate incident last October.
Those who received assistance from the city yesterday signed a waiver declaring that they will no longer construct their houses along the shorelines or other environmentally hazardous areas.
Mayor Lobregat said the city is strictly prohibiting the construction of structures along the shorelines in view of directives from national agencies and to protect the welfare of the constituents. (Vic Larato)