CEBU CITY (Feb. 27, 2024) – Mayor Mike Rama has warned barangay officials he will withhold their yearly aid and share from the Local Development Fund if they refuse to reblock communities that are at risk of fires.

Mayor Mike Rama. | 📷 File

Rama made his stance after an early morning fire hit Sitio Sta. Lucia in Barangay Tinago early today that claimed the lives of four people and injured eight others.

“If they (barangays) will not agree, I will not give them barangay financial assistance,” Rama said in his Ingna’ng Mayor program over Sugboanon Channel earlier today via Zoom from Manila.

“Yes, (that’s an) ultimatum. We cannot have any more deaths,” he told program moderator Vilma Andales.

Reblocking typically involves the widening of access roads and putting more space between houses to limit a fire’s spread, as well as to allow emergency responders to access the fire scene.

It also allows fire trucks, ambulances, support vehicles, frontline personnel and volunteers to maneuver easily.

Aftermath. Sitio Sta. Lucia residents scour what remains of their homes after a fire burned the place on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. | 📷 PIO / Allan Cuizon

Rama said he wants barangays to proactively reblock densely-populated communities in their jurisdiction to lessen the impact of fires.

“Kung dili karun, kanus-a man. Kung dili kita, kinsa man? Unsa man? Maghuwat pa ta nga mag-ihap ta og patay?” he added.

Rama said he will immediately act on a barangay’s request for reblocking if its leaders will ask for it.

Scarred. Today’s fire scene as seen across the Lahug-Kamputhaw-Tejero River from Tejero public school buildings. | 📷 PIO / Allan Cuizon

 “Ayaw mo huwat kung naa pa’y sunog. To barangay officials, tell the mayor, then we will invade,” he added.

According to Rama, only Barangays Carreta, Lorega and Basak Pardo have initiated efforts to reblock their densely-populated communities.

Aid to fire victims

Rama ordered the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) and the Quick Response Team (QRT) to address the needs of the affected fire victims.

Gone. A resident checks what remains on his home. | 📷 PIO / Allan Cuizon

He also ordered the City Hospitalization Assistance and Medicine Program (CHAMP) office to help the families of those who got injured and died during the fire.

Parolito Otadoy, his wife Rosita and teenage sons Joseph and Jeffrey died in the fire, while at least eight others got hurt.

Fire officials estimated the fire also affected at least 30 families, or some 90 individuals.

Rama also plans to visit the fire site on Wednesday, Feb. 28, once he gets back from his official trip in Manila, and to consult barangay captains before he issues an executive order on reblocking.

The mayor is currently in Manila to participate in an activity organized by the League of Cities in the Philippines.

Visit. Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia (rightmost, in gray jacket) talks to city personnel who are assessing the needs of affected families who lost their homes during a fire at Sitio Sta. Lucia in Barangay Tinago. | PIO / Allan Cuizon

In a related development, Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia personally visited the fire victims in Barangay Tinago.

Garcia assured fire victims that the City Government will provide all the necessary assistance to the victims. | PPRMN / em / jkv / pio

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