Day-as fire victims cannot re-occupy lots

VICTIMS of the October 17 fire in barangay Day-as may not be able to return to their burned community as the owner of the land wants to use it for “commercial purposes.”

It was learned that a day after the fire, the Gaisano Capital Group informed City Hall that it is using the 3,000 square meter lot property.

Eric Labrada, spokesperson of the Gaisano Capital Group said the property, which the group owned since the 1980s “is a vacant lot” which only has a fence in front.

Labrada said the property is located in T. Padilla Street near a creek that separates or makes a boundary of Day-as and barangay T. Padilla.

“We will not allow them to re-occupy,” said Labrada, adding that there’s no deadline yet for eviction.

Labrada said the settlers were informed by their barangay captain of the notice to vacate the area.

“We will provide cash assistance provided that they will leave,” said Labrada.

Meanwhile, the City Council yesterday approved the resolution declaring a state of calamity in barangay Day-as.

The resolution would allow the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council to use its funds to assist the fire victims.

A total of 74 families have been identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Services as fire victims who would then be entitled to receive the P10,000 cash assistance from City Hall.

The fire last Oct. 17 hit sitios Tender Heart and Moonface of barangay Day-as, razing to the ground 42 houses. /Correspondent Tweeny M. Malinao