By NITZ ARANCON
and LITO RULONA
Correspondents
VILLAGERS displaced by fire were expecting politicians to come to their aid at a covered court on Saturday morning, a day after their houses were razed to the ground in San Isidro Labrador, Lapasan.
None came, according to the barangay administrator, a barangay nutrition scholar, and fire victims.
Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas, who was acting mayor, rushed to the fire scene on Friday night and helped barangay chairman Omar Labuntog in coordinating efforts to help residents evacuate and in put out the fire.
Acenas was acting mayor last week because Mayor Oscar Moreno was in Washington DC, participating in the Annual Global Forum organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Aside from the two, no other politician–winner of loser in this month’s elections–took time to visit the fire victims the morning after.
“Basin dili na sila magkakita kanamo kay human na man ang election,” said 63-year old Luzminda Gallo, a fire victim who was waiting for aid at the Lapasan covered court.
Gallo expressed disappointment that she saw no politician checking on them at the evacuation center. Not one came to ask how they were, she said.
Another fire victim, Nenita Demoral, 43, said she had expected politicians to come and personally extend aid to them but saw no one since Friday night.
“Basin natulog pa sila,” said Erlita Mamat, a barangay nutrition scholar, who was helping displaced families at the covered court.
Flordeliz Salado, a 31-year old mother, said her family lost everything they had in the fire.
“Akong gibiya-an ang among tanang butang sa balay kay ang akong gisiguro pagluwas ang akong upat ka mga anak,” Salado said.
Lapasan barangay administrator Jupiter Vicente said Labuntog, Lapasan’s barangay chairman, called him up on Saturday morning and informed him that Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of the city’s 2nd District, and Abante Mindanao Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr. would be sending relief aid to the fire victims.
“Magpa-abot lang kami kanus-a nila ipadala dinhi ang ilang hinabang alang sa mga fire victims,” Vicente said.
He said the barangay government has already released funds from its calamity fund to help the fire victims. The barangay is spending some P8 thousand for every round of meals.
“Dako gyud kaayo ug gasto alang sa pagka-on pero dili man pod mahimo nga ato ni silang pasagdan,” said Vicente.
Mamat, for her part, said the City Social Welfare and Development office sent rice, canned goods, noodles, blankets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets, and kitchen utensils for the displaced families.
Authorities said the Lapasan fire destroyed some P5 million in structures. Some 100 houses, mostly made of light materials, were razed to the ground as the fire broke out and quickly spread in San Isidro Labrador at around 9 pm.
No one was seriously hurt in the over two-hour fire, said SFO1 Dennis Dales.
Dales said firefighters had difficulties because the area were the fire broke out was inaccessible.
Dales said initial investigation showed that the fire started from the house of one Liza Camomot.
“Dali ra kaayo midako ang kalayo tungod sa mga light materials,” he said.
Investigators were still trying to determine what caused the fire although many of the fire victims said they blamed it on an unattended candle that was lit up because of the Friday blackout in the city.
The City Social Welfare and Development office said it counted 1,028 people or 243 families displaced by the fire.
Bureau of Fire Protection regional director Senior Supt. Domingo Tambalo said there was a need for local officials to make sure that communities have accessible roads so that firefighting would be unhampered.
Tambalo said the Friday night fire required over 10 fire trucks.
Tambalo said firefighters were also prevented by angry villagers who grabbed hoses from them in order to spray their houses with water. Instead of helping firemen, the unruly crowd hampered the operations.
Julito Toto, a fire victim, said it took some 30 minutes for firefighters to arrive.
“Dili man sila mosulod diretso sa area. Mao nga nagmahay gyud ko sa ila,” Toto said.
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