ILOILO City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) is seeking the help of no less than President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM) for the families affected by one of the most destructive fires to hit the city in recent years.
The SP passed a resolution on Feb. 1 regular session, “urgently appealing” to the President for assistance for the relocation of 299 families affected in the Jan. 28, 2023 fire that razed a large area of barangays San Juan and West Habog-Habog in Molo district.
“Most of the fire victims face the grim prospect of having no more place to return to as they are informal settlers whose houses were built on privately-owned land,” read part of the resolution introduced by Councilor Ely Estante.
Currently, the affected families composed of more than 1,000 individuals are temporary staying at Baluarte and San Juan elementary schools.
The fire broke out in a hut in Barangay West Habog-Habog early morning of Jan. 28 and quickly spread to neighboring houses and a portion of Barangay San Juan. The houses were mostly made of light, combustible materials.
The fire covered an area of around two hectares.
The city council furnished copies of the said resolution to the Office of the President and also to the offices of Iloilo City’s Rep. Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda, Uswag Party-list’s Rep. James “Jojo” T. Ang, Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development, and National Housing Authority./PN
