AROUND 351 FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THE FIRE ARE ASKING FOR HELP FROM THE GOVERNMENT

BRGY. ONG YIU, BUTUAN CITY – Classes are temporarily suspended in Ong Yiu Elementary School to house the families displaced by a fire last Monday, March 9.

At the school’s mini gym, residents are still busy transferring their belongings to their assigned classroom where they are to settle in the meantime.

Mrs. Bonifacia Beyol, one of the residents, recalls that in 53 years of living in the said barangay, she has experienced 3 fire incidents, but this time she has lost their house.

The Purok chairman in Purok 11 in the same barangay, Camal Cabugatan, said in an interview that he only saved 2 motorbikes because the fire was already so close to their house when he woke up.

Meanwhile, Maria Cecelia Cañete is spotted by the News team, a resident in Purok 7, at the barangay’s covered court who has not yet sorted out her belongings and whose feet are still muddy. Ms. Cañete told the news team she rushed out of their house without bringing anything with her when she heard the shouting.

According to Hon. Wilbert Ejos, Barangay captain in Ong Yiu, they are going to convene for a special session to tackle the necessary procedures to help the displaced families.

The Barangay captain is also asking the public, especially the government, to extend help such as basic needs to the fire victims.