Aguit-itan blaze undergoes thorough inquiry

By GINA DEAN-RAGUDO, Samar News.com
November 17, 2010

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar  –  The excitement of Pacquiao-Margarito’s fight easily vanished when a fire broke out at 12:35 until 2:40 in the afternoon on November 14, 2010 in Purok 2, Brgy. Aguit-itan, Calbayog City.

The narrow streets and pathways in the area made it difficult for the fire fighters to gain access and extinguished the thick burst of flame which lasted for more than 2 hours.

Based on CUHD (City Urban Housing Division) record, 269 houses were burned, but other concerned offices have yet to figure out the exact number of victims.

BFP (Bureau of Fire Protection) Calbayog continuously conducts investigation on how the fire started and the total cost of damages.

The city government immediately provided temporary shelters for the victims although others chose to live with their relatives while the rest opted to stay near the place for fear that they would not be allowed again by the city government to restore their structures.

CUHD Chief Cicenio Oquendo identified Western Heights Subdivision in Brgy. Matobato as a suitable relocation site aside from the temporary shelters earlier provided such as island town terminal near the pier site, Jogger’s in Brgy. East Awang, and SK (Sangguniang Kabataan) Hall.

SOS Children’s Village in Brgy. Dagum has also agreed to accommodate a number of families to be temporarily transferred.

Vice-Mayor Ronald Aquino requested the chairman of Aquit-itan to discourage residents to rebuild their houses in the area as the city government would like to control the “mushroom” of structures that would lead again to another catastrophe.

It was found out that there were concrete structures built in the vicinity owned by Aguit-itan based inhabitants and car-line or island town locals managing businesses in Calbayog.

Aquino stressed during the CDCC (City Disaster Coordinating Council) meeting Monday morning that Calbayognons should be given priority in terms of relocation sites and other assistance.

The urgent need to resolve this crisis has led the CDCC to seek help from the private sectors for food, clothing and cash donations which should be given directly to the Community Affairs Office and the City Social Welfare and Development Office.