BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines - The Bacolod city government has placed Barangay (village) 19 under a state of calamity following a Nov. 2 fire that killed 17 persons, including an 11-month-old baby.

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia earlier asked the city council to declare a state of calamity in Barangay 19 so that the city and the village office could release their calamity funds to assist the victims of the Nov. 2 fire.

The Barangay 19 council had also declared a state of calamity on Tuesday.

The fire destroyed 59 houses and damaged four others, all worth P4 million.

Senior Supt. Celestino Guara, the acting Bacolod police director, meanwhile, directed all Police Officers 1 undergoing their Field Training Program, to provide round the clock security in Barangay 19.

Guara said 20 police officers, with additional personnel from the Police Precinct 4, would help secure the area and keep it safe from looters on a shifting basis.

"We will not give thieves a chance to take advantage of the situation. Our police is very much ready to provide assistance until the local government unit finishes its task to help our fellow Bacoleños who were victims of the fire," he said.

The barangay tanod (neighborhood watchmen) and the members of the Citizens? Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) have been providing security at the Mabini Elementary School that served as an evacuation center for the affected families.

There are 14 families staying at the school based on the records of the Bacolod City Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD).

Guara said the police were also helping the DSSD distribute relief goods to the fire victims.