Church pledges food, relief for Punta Princesa fire victims

Kitchen utensils, mats, jars, blankets, plates, canned goods and rice were distributed last Saturday to at least 326 families affected by the fire that hit barangay Punta Princesa in Cebu City last week.

Social Welfare Officer Marilou Buctot oversaw  the  distribution of 1,535 “take home” packages to persons  at the grounds of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints near the fire scene.

“We started distributing the goods at 7 p.m. and we ended at around 10 p.m. last night. Everyone is accounted for,” Buctot told Cebu Daily News.

Today ends the five-day food distribution program of the city government.

“We have an assurance from Our Lady of  Lourdes that they will continue providing food and other relief goods for the victims,” Buctot said.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, meanwhile, called on Cebuanos to be extra careful with the way they use fire.

“People will be extra careful with whatever appliances and the way we use fire. Fire is a blessing that could become a curse if we are not careful,” he said.

He also hoped that recent fires in the city were not the result of arson.

“We pray that it is not really arson… We should realized how much pain and stress this brings,” he said.

He said he will see to it that aid will be given to the victims.

“We pray support should be given to those victims of the calamity. I will also see to it that care in our own Caritas aid and support should be given to the victims,” he said.

Buctot said except for a few cases of cough, the children’s  health  remained stable with medical services provided by the City Health Department.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia is expected to give one sack of rice to each of the affected families after Punta Princessa barangay captain Jose Navarro asked her to add a few more sacks of rice to her initial pledge of  200.

Navarro expressed gratitude to the governor.

With the reblocking being implemented by the city government, distribution of  the housing materials is still on hold.

Luzminda Jumawan, a 35-year-old house wife said she is hoping for the cash assistance from Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas R. Osmeña.

“I am hoping for cash to arrive so that we can rent another house,” she said.

Jumawan has two children. Her  eldest temporarily stopped  school because they don’t have the money to buy school uniforms and supplies to replace the ones lost in the fire.

Another resident, 48-year old laundrywoman Julie Sapatan said  they are waiting for Mayor Michael Rama to let them return to their old areas and   rebuild their homes. /Edison A. Delos Angeles, Carmel Loise Matus and Giovanni F. Garcia