Pupils appeal for help after big Carreta fire

Grade school pupils affected by Wednesday’s barangay Carreta fire appealed to the Cebu City government for help especially since they lost their uniforms and school materials in the blaze.

Eight-year-old Carlo, a grade 2 student of the Carreta Elementary School, said his parents were only able to save two sets of his clothes.

Carlo, the second of five siblings, said he hoped that his family could get more relief goods especially clothes so he can attend school on Monday.

Carlo was at school when the fire broke out. He rushed home to find his mother on the street trying to save some of their belongings.

Jennifer, a grade 1 student, lost her home but promised to attend school.

“Moeskwela gihapon ko bahala wala nami og balay y,” she told Cebu Daily News.

Lloyd Toquero, barangay Carreta bookkeeper, said the elementary school would resume classes on Monday.

School staff were still fixing parts of the building that were damaged by fire and water.

The Cebu City Council yesterday held a special session to declare a state of calamity in four affected sitios—Laurente, Teracura and Ponce Dos of barangay Carreta and Sambag of barangay Tejero.

“We have to do it quickly since there is an urgent need to release calamity funds to help our brothers and sisters affected by fire,” Councilor Alvin Dizon said.

The fire affected 429 families according to Department of Social Welfare and Services,

Fire official said about 150 houses were destroyed.

Some fire victims are staying at the Carreta sports complex or the abandoned old White Gold building.

Others have set up makeshift houses by the side of the street.

City social welfare workers serve packed meals on site for three days as standard emergency response.

The second stage of help is financial assistance with kitchen and cooking utensils.

In the third phase, housing materials will be distributed.

Councilor Dizon said he would ask that distribution of housing supplies be deferred until the neighborhood is reblocked or areas cleared to establish interior access roads.

This is to ensure fire trucks and emergency vehicles can enter quickly in case of another fire or other calamity.

“As a member of the council, I will ask them to hold it first until the reblocking is implemented. It should not take long since the land affected by fire in both barangays is owned by the national government,” he said.