Mayor Greg Gasataya led the distribution of more than P 1.25 million in financial assistance to 117 families affected by recent fire incidents during a payout held at the Bacolod City College Gym on Tuesday, February 3.
The initiative forms part of the city government’s efforts to provide immediate relief while advancing long-term housing solutions for displaced residents, he said.
The assistance was coordinated by the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) under the leadership of Dr. Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga and was sourced from the city’s reserved emergency funds.
Beneficiaries came from six barangays affected by recent fires.
To ensure the swift release of aid, administrative processes were streamlined — documents were submitted on Friday, processed by Monday, and funds were released Tuesday morning, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
Financial assistance varied depending on the extent of damage: PHP 15,000 was granted to families whose homes were destroyed, PHP 10,000 to those whose houses were damaged, and PHP 5,000 to renters and sharers.
The beneficiaries included residents from Barangay 10 (62 families), Barangay Banago (19), Barangay 26 (18), Barangay Singcang (11), Barangay Bata (5), and Barangay Alijis (2).
Among the recipients was Danilo Nabalitan of Barangay Banago, whose house withstood Tropical Depression Verbena and Typhoon Tino before being destroyed by fire on Nov. 5, 2025.
“I almost lost my mind during that time, but I am thankful that we survived. I am grateful for the help as we look forward to moving on from that tragic incident as a family,” he said.
Another beneficiary, 62-year-old Azucena Pun-an of Barangay 10, who received PHP 15,000 in financial assistance, was alone in her house when the fire occurred.
“We are deeply grateful for the help extended to us. Without this assistance, it would have been very difficult for us to survive. We have limited means and no one else to rely on,” she said.
During the event, Gasataya met with affected residents to discuss recovery plans.
While some families expressed their intention to rebuild on their current sites, the city government is encouraging relocation to safer, government-developed areas.
In a media briefing held at the gym, the mayor emphasized the urgency of relocating families living in fire-prone and high-risk areas, particularly those near creeks and riverbanks.
“On the part of the city, we gave an urgent instruction to the Bacolod Housing Authority to double their efforts in developing the remaining areas of the relocation site,” Gasataya said.
“Aside from these fire incidents, there are still families living along creeks and rivers who need to be relocated. These families have already been identified, and together with the BHA, we are doing our best to complete the development of the relocation site as soon as possible,” he said.*
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