Manila councilors who were present during the session at the Manila City Hall yesterday, unanimously supported the proposed declaration.
Councilor Kim Atienza, representing the city’s fifth district that has jurisdiction over the Baseco area, explained that with the state of calamity, the government is authorized to prioritize projects for the area and its residents.
Atienza said the city government can also use calamity funds in providing aid to the fire victims.
The state of calamity will help the city government plan for long-term and short-term development projects in the area, he added.
The areas affected by the fire were Blocks 14, 16, 17 and 17-A, which had been occupied by some 4,500 families.
As part of the long-term plan, Atienza said the city government will develop the razed area under a socialized housing program involving the implementation of proper zoning.
With zoning, there would be wider streets free from any obstruction.
Firefighters have long complained of the difficulty their firetrucks encounter in getting near the fire site because of narrow streets, which are usually blocked by obstructions.
For the short term, Atienza said, the city government will ensure that relief goods are properly distributed at four temporary evacuation centers, namely: a basketball court, the gymnasium of the Department of Public Works and Highway, an elementary school and a sports complex.
President Arroyo, who personally supervised firefighting and rescue operations at the area last Monday, ordered Manila Mayor Lito Atienza to draw up a development plan for the affected area.
"We intend to give families affected by the fire better housing facilities and amenities, including road and potable water," the mayor said.
Running Scared
A couple has sought police protection from the wrath of their neighbors, who accused them of causing the fire that razed thousands of houses in Baseco.
Zaldy Eusebio, 32, and his wife Raquel, 30, sought protection from the Western Police District-General Assignment Section (WPD-GAS) following threats from neighbors.
"According to the couple, they were afraid of possible retaliation from neighbors who accused them for the fire," the blotter at the GAS office stated.
The couple told Inspector Crecensio Martin, deputy chief of the GAS, that some neighbors have been saying that the fire started from their house at Block 14, Lot 117 at the Port Area.
Some of them believe that the couple was quarreling and one of them hurled a lighted candle in the process, causing the blaze.
Martin said the couple denied causing the fire and claimed the wife was sleeping and was only awakened by the blaze.
The husband told probers that he was at a mini-store nearby when he spotted their house on fire.
The couple said that when the smoke cleared, some of their friends warned them of possible retaliation by neighbors.
Earlier, investigator Fire Officer 2 Emmanuel Gaspar said the fire originated at the house of another resident at Block 14 Lot 41 in Baseco at around 11:35 p.m.
Chief inspector Arturo Paglinawan, GAS chief, said the WPD could not immediately grant them protection since the couple failed to prove the threat against them.
"Also, if there are witnesses who can prove that the fire started from their house, they can be held liable for the incident," Paglinawan said.
The Baseco fire was the third to hit the area, where socialized housing projects are being implemented.
The first was on a Black Saturday last March 30, while the second was last March 6. Authorities said the latest blaze is considered the biggest tragedy to hit Baseco, or the Bataan Shipment Yard and Engineeering Co.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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