Cavite City in state of calamity due to massive fire

INFERNO A drone captures the blaze crawling through the houses in Barangays 5 and 7 of Cavite City on Sunday. —Cavite City Mayor Denver Chua Facebook photo

LUCENA CITY, QUEZON, Philippines — The Cavite City government has declared a state of calamity after a fire on Sunday ravaged two coastal villages and left more than 900 families homeless.

“Cavite City is now under a state of calamity,” Mayor Denver Chua announced on his Facebook page on Tuesday afternoon.

In another post, the city government said the declaration was based on the mayor’s and the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s endorsement and recommendation.

Declaring a state of calamity would enable local governments to use their calamity funds.

The move would also be a mechanism to control the prices of goods and commodities in the areas.

Over 3,000 affected

The fire started at about 3 p.m. on Sunday along Badjao, Alonzo Street. It spread to Barangays 5 and 7 and destroyed more than 900 houses before it was extinguished three hours later, according to the Cavite City police.

Authorities said the fire affected more than 3,300 individuals, who were temporarily housed at two public schools in the area and attended to by local social welfare officers.

The investigators reported no casualties or serious injuries.

Firemen were still investigating the cause of the blaze, while property damage has yet to be determined.

On Monday, Chua reported that brothers Cavite Rep. Jolo Revilla and Agimat Rep. Bryan Revilla, and local government officials, provided initial assistance to the families affected by the tragedy.

The government officials distributed hot meals, hygiene kits, sleeping kits and food packs to each family affected by the fire.

“In the coming days, we will also provide financial assistance to each family to help them rebuild their homes. A little more patience, and we will rise again. Rest assured, we will not abandon you,” Chua said.

He has led a meeting with concerned departments from the city government to begin the relief and recovery operation for the victims.

The city government has also launched a donation drive to help the fire victims.