BY ADRIAN P. NEMES III
More than P600,000 in aid was distributed by the Bacolod City government, through the Social Welfare and Development Office, to the fire victims in Purok Neptune, Barangay Singcang Airport yesterday.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia led the distribution with Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, and Rep. Greg Gasataya to the fire victims, who are seeking shelter at the JR Torres Elementary School in Sitio Magsungay in the barangay.
The families, whose houses were destroyed, received P10,000 in financial assistance each, while those with damaged houses got P5,000 each.
The renters of the houses that were razed by fire also received P3,000 in aid each.
ELECTRICAL SHORT-CIRCUIT
The blaze that engulfed Purok Neptune Monday afternoon destroyed 46 houses and damaged 10 others, DSWD records showed, although based on the investigation of the Bureau of Fire Protection, 57 houses were destroyed and eight others were damaged.
The fire caused by an electrical short-circuit left 61 families, composed of 235 individuals, homeless. Also present at the distribution of assistance were councilors Renecito Novero, Simple Distrito, and Al Victor Espino, City Administrator Em Ang, Barangay Singcang-Airport Captain Rosinie Distrito, Sally Abelarde of DSSD, other barangay officials, and several social workers.*