Fire victims can’t rebuild homes near Butuanon River

A DAY after  fire razed  their homes in sitio Pulang Bukid, barangay Alang-Alang in Mandaue City, victims were told  the nearby Butuanon River will be closed  off  to settlers.

In a meeting with social welfare and housing officials yesterday, fire  victims were told about the Mandaue City government’s plans to move them to a relocation site in barangay Pakna-an.

Fire victims can’t rebuild their houses in their original site, which falls within a restricted  three-meter easement of the river.

At least  164 house owners and 122 renters were affected by last Friday’s fire that hit the area at 1:40 p.m.

The Mandaue City government said house owners will be given  housing materials worth P10,000 while renters would receive P5,000.

Displaced families are  housed in tents at a vacant lot in Plaridel Street near the fire site.

They were provided with a power generator, portable toilets, water and food until tomorrow.

During the fire, victims told reporters they had to climb up an eight-foot  fence to throw their belongings to the other side.

They also had to jostle their way to an  exit that’s less than a meter wide.

Used clothing and goods donated by private persons and nongovernment organizations were distributed.

Earlier Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes said the displaced families and renters have little choice other than to avail of the city government’s 6.5-hectare relocation site in barangay Paknaan since they could not remain in sitio Pulang Bukid.

Cortes said financial assistance may be given to those who move out.

The relocation site in Pakna-an already has electric power and water lines in some portions. Correspondent Norman V. Mendoza