BY NYARIKA DOMANAIS
ILOILO – The Iloilo provincial government, in cooperation with the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), distributed financial assistance to the 17 families who lost their homes in a fire accident in Barangay Ilaya Poblacion, Zarraga.
Provincial Administrator Dr. Raul Banias and PSWDO operations chief Mr. Rani Melvi Cuarte led the distribution of P5,000 for each household on Tuesday.
To recall, 15 homes were completely destroyed, while two were partially damaged in the blaze, which broke out at around 12 noon on March 18.
The totally damaged houses were owned by Ma. Teresa Genon, Mark Sondia, Pablito Soldevilla, Jennifer Mejaro, Ma Luz Deocades, Noel Soldevilla, Jose Jerry Sidon, Jerald Sidon, Jose Saldivar, Elizabeth Abacajan, Rodrigo Paniza, Alex Ortigoza, Joel Somatra, Jomer Latoza, and Elayne Granada Asuzena.
While the houses of Mary Queen Tupaz and Efren Tupaz were partially damaged.
In an interview with Panay News, Zarraga’s Mayor Jofel Marañon-Soldevilla revealed that the fire reportedly originated from a child playing with matches in the home of the Genon family.
According to him, the houses in the area were closely packed together, mostly constructed with light materials, which contributed to the rapid spread of the fire./PN
