More than 200 families are currently staying in temporary shelters after a large fire hit Sitio Silangan 2, Barangay Tejero over the weekend, prompting Cebu City officials to move for the declaration of a state of calamity.
Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival said the proposal is being pushed to help speed up assistance for affected residents and address urgent needs in overcrowded evacuation centers.
During a press briefing on Monday, May 18, Archival said around 247 families were affected by the blaze, which also exposed serious access problems in the community.
He said firefighters had difficulty entering the area during the height of the fire due to blocked roads and fenced portions of the main access routes.
“Didto gyud ko firsthand. There are about 247 families ang na apektahan,” Archival said.
“Lisod kaayo pagpalong ang kayo because there are some areas especially sa mga naa sa atubangan sa dalan, gi-koral.”
The mayor also reported that one firefighter was injured after stepping on a nail attached to one of the fences while responding to the incident.
Following this, Archival ordered the Cebu City Legal Office and the Department of Urban and Housing Development (DWUP) to investigate the structures that blocked access, including determining who constructed the fences.
He said some barriers appeared to extend into public spaces such as drainage areas, which are considered government property.
“Akong ipaadto sa DWUP and City Legal nganong naay mga tawo nga nag koral ana maoy usa sa rason nganong wala kasulod ang atong mga bombero,” he said.
The city will also verify land ownership in the affected area, as reports indicate portions may have already been acquired by private institutions, which could affect long-term housing plans.
Archival said if the land is confirmed to be government-owned, the city may pursue site development or medium-rise housing projects for displaced families.
“If sa government na, the best thing we could do is site development or maghimo ta og MRBs,” he said.
He added that any possible removal of structures blocking access will depend on the legal assessment.
“Atong tan-awon unsay sulti sa City Legal kay kung ilaha na, dapat tagaan nila og right of way ang mga tawo kay dili man kaagi,” he said.
Aside from housing concerns, evacuation centers remain congested, with displaced families currently staying in two gymnasiums in Tejero.
Archival said he is concerned about the condition of evacuees due to overcrowding and heat inside the shelters.
“Naguol gyud ko kay over 200 ka families naa didto,” he said.
Some families were temporarily transferred to a nearby school, but city officials said normal school operations will require them to relocate again, prompting plans to identify additional spaces.
The city is now considering using an unused building near the Tejero barangay hall as a temporary shelter, along with possible tent cities to ease congestion.
“Its too cramped. Lisod kaayo mga tawo didto og masakit sila,” Archival said.
Archival confirmed he has requested the declaration of a state of calamity to allow faster release of emergency funds and expanded assistance for affected residents.
The fire affected 247 families or around 945 individuals, according to the Cebu City government as of May 17. (VCL)
Photo courtesy of Brgy. Tejero PIO
Comments