DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Residents in Barangay Leon Garcia Sr. whose houses were razed by a massive fire on Oct. 15 have begun clearing debris and demolishing ruined structures while awaiting government assistance to rebuild.
The conflagration in Agdao District left 1,000 families displaced 14 months after an August 2025 fire displaced 57 families in the same area.
Dags Montalban, 41, of Purok Bakal, said they have already been preparing their lots to rebuild their homes as they await government aid.
He said the displaced families were permitted to stay at the school for 15 days before classes resumed.
Kevin Daet, 34, a construction laborer who has lived in the community since childhood, said rebuilding remains uncertain as his family waits for financial assistance and clearance to return to their property.
Arriving home from work, Daet heard neighbors warning others about the fire. He rushed back and retrieved his three children, mother and siblings managing to save only clothes and important documents before the fire could spread. His home, along with those of his mother, siblings and relatives were gutted.
“The people are truly what’s important—that we saved them. Family and neighbors,” Daet told Davao Today in Cebuano.
The fire broke out at 5:06 p.m., triggering a task force alpha alert. The fire was put under control at 8:49 p.m. but was finally extinguished at 1:20 in the morning the following day.
This was Montalban’s first major fire incident in 41 years living in the barangay.
“We did not expect it. We thought it was too far away from us because the fire started in another purok (zone). It is a big one, too powerful, we could no longer stop it,” he said in Cebuano.
Heavy rains and gusty of wind compounded residents’ difficulties as the fire consumed the community.
Anton Estapya, 23, also salvaged only a few of his belongings. He said staying at the evacuation center feels uncomfortable and insecure as he worries thieves will steal what little he has left.
Evacuation challenges
Glenda Espada, head of the City Social Welfare and Development Office in Agdao District, said hundreds of fire victims are temporarily sheltered at Leon Garcia Sr. National High School, Congressman Manuel Elementary School, the skate park underneath Agdao flyover, barangay hall, Leon Garcia Sr. barangay gymnasium, Emmanuel Garcia Elementary School, and Kapitan Tomas Monteverde Sr. barangay gymnasium.
However, evacuation centers pose difficulties for evacuees, including clogged toilets, Montalban said.
Daet said his family is staying at the barangay premises, while some relatives sought shelter at other sites. He continues returning to the fire-damaged areas to guard property and salvage metal from the debris.
Espada said responders are overwhelmed accommodating the large number of residents needing assistance and addressing individual concerns.
“The victims have their own specific issues and concerns. While it is challenging to provide them with comfortable living conditions, efforts are being made to ensure this is addressed. Even if we cannot provide everything, we can at least ensure that their basic needs are met,” Espada said in Cebuano.
She said the CSWDO and other responders prioritized providing essentials, including food, water and toiletries.
Complicated rescue response
Daet cited narrow passageways in the community as contributing to movement difficulties as the fire spread.
“We also hope the barangay could survey our area here to see what can be done, if possible to widen the roads, so that in case of fire, firefighters can pass through easily,” he said in Cebuano.
Edgar Javier, 55, said the firefighters ran out of water and the absence of fire hydrants in the area contributed to the problem.
“It would be good if the barangay proposed the installation of fire hydrants there where hoses can be connected,” Javier said in Cebuano.
One of Davao City’s largest residential fires
The October 15 blaze is among the largest residential fires in Davao City since 2025 in terms of residents affected.
A May 2026 fire in Barangay 23-C displaced 457 families and destroyed 235 houses.
An October 2025 fire in Barangay 21-C, Piapi, displaced 273 families and destroyed 178 residential and commercial buildings.
On Aug. 18, 2025, a fire broke out in Barangays Leon Garcia Sr. and Agdao Proper, displacing 164 families.
The Oct. 15 fire marks the second major fire reported in Leon Garcia in 14 months.
From Jan. to September 2026, the Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) recorded 734 fire incidents, a 37.9 percent increase from 532 during the same period in 2025.
The estimated property rose from P74 million in 2025 to P202.75 million this year.
The BFP has yet to determine the cause of the Leon Garcia fire. (davaotoday.com)
