CHAOS. Residents of Purok 4, Isla Verde, Barangay 23-C in Davao City were in complete chaos after a fire broke out at around 1:20 p.m. on Wednesday that destroyed around 200 houses in the area. (Princess Regina Clamohoy/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) has called on all concerned citizens in the city to extend donations to the victims of the fire that broke out last February 20 and razed more than 200 houses and displaced hundreds of families in Barangay 23-C, Purok 4-A and 4-B.
Social Welfare Officer III Virginia Baustista told reporters that as of February 22, the CSSDO has already validated 542 families affected by the fire, 272 of whom are house owners, 182 sharers, 57 renters, and 31 boarders.
CSSDO recorded a total number of 261 houses that were totally damaged and 11 partially damaged by fire.
Bautista told reporters that the fire victims are in dire need for immediate help and any means of assistance would mean a lot to them.
She said CSSDO have already given food, utensils, clothing, blankets, and pillows as primary help for the victims.
The Early Childhood Care and Development teachers from CSSDO have also assessed the children who experienced trauma during the fire incident through psycho-social activities.
Bautista added that their office will also extend help by allocating financial assistance for the victims, adding that homeowners will be provided with PHP10,000 financial assistance, sharers, and renters with PHP5,000 and PHP3,000 for the affected boarders.
She said Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is set to visit the site on Saturday, February 23 to personally evaluate the situation of the victims.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Red Cross in Davao City also reported of the assistance the chapter has provided to the affected residents.
Red Cross volunteer Jinky Jose told reporters that first aid care was provided to the victims while those who suffered complicated cases were also immediately addressed and referred to the barangay health centers.
Jose said they were able to record minor cases among the victims such as rashes and fever.
The security of the affected residents was also assured by Task Force Davao through the deployment of enough personnel. (Hershey Matugas and Christine Sabute, HCDC Interns/davaotoday.com)
