By CESAR JOLITO III

The Bacolod City government has reported that 90 percent of the clearing operations in Barangay 27 are now complete, nearly a month after a massive fire razed hundreds of homes in the area.

City Administrator Mark Mayo said most of the major debris removal has already been finished, with continued assistance from city departments and residents who have been voluntarily hauling out concrete and other materials from the affected site.

Recovered construction materials are being transported to the city warehouse at Bredco, while disposable waste is being properly disposed of at the city’s landfill through the Bacolod Environmental and Natural Resources Office.

Mayo noted that if favorable weather continues, the cleanup could be fully completed within the week, paving the way for residents to gradually return and rebuild their homes.

However, he clarified that clearing operations are temporarily suspended during periods of heavy rainfall to ensure the safety of workers and residents.

As of now, evacuees who were temporarily sheltered at Apolinario Mabini Elementary School have already left, with several families starting to move back to their cleared lots.

The city government has committed to sustaining its post-fire recovery efforts, including the rehabilitation of affected areas and the facilitation of aid distribution to help families recover from the tragedy./CJ, WDJ