The Talisay City government in Negros Occidental, together with its partner-institutions, is accepting donations for families hit by a massive fire in Barangay Zone 5 on Tuesday afternoon, February 4.
Data as of 10:00 a.m. yesterday showed 57 families, composed of 213 persons, have been displaced and are now staying at the Talisay City gymnasium.
The fire destroyed 53 houses and damaged four others.
Vice Mayor Jose Nicolas Jalandoni III, who visited the evacuation center with other city officials, said the city government has been providing assistance to the affected residents.
“We have provided hot meals, water supply and transportation from the site going to the gymnasium,” he said in a statement.
Personnel from the City Health Office have also been providing healthcare services to the displaced families at the evacuation center.
Lawyer Rowena Lizares, wife of Mayor Neil Lizares, is also assisting the city government gather donations for the affected families.
“I am humbly asking your help everyone. Together, let us help them rebuild their lives,” she said in a Facebook post, adding that donations may be sent directly at the Talisay City gymnasium.
Personnel of the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) also posted on Facebook their plan to adopt a family and offer its members’ assistance for their immediate needs, such as shelter materials, clothing, food, and other essentials.
“This initiative also invites and encourages individuals, organizations and communities to come together and adopt a family affected by the fire, offering them both material and emotional assistance during their recovery process,” the CPDO said.
The Carlos Hilado Memorial State University, whose main campus is located in Talisay City, also launched a donation drive for the fire victims, which will run until February 10.
Through the CHMSUyanihan, they are accepting in-kind donations such as clothing and blankets, toiletries and hygiene products, household items, non-perishable food items and drinking water, as well as cash donations through e-wallets.
Donors can drop-off in-kind donations at the booths at any of its four campuses.
“We invite all compassionate individuals to support CHMSUyanihan to help restore hope and rebuild lives. Let’s stand together and help our neighbors rise from this tragedy,” Director for Internationalization and External Relations Rhoderick Samonte said in a statement. (PNA)