Bacolod City – A request by Bacolod City’s Barangay 19, led by its Barangay Captain, Jocelyn Uychiat and endorsed to the City’s Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) by Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia to declare the barangay in a state of calamity after the fire that broke out midnight of All Saint Day last November 1 razed it to the ground has been approved by the SP.

Said calamity claimed 17 lives and left over 60 families homeless.

Getting the SP’s nod on the request enables the City to extend assistance to the fire victims. Calamity funds will be distributed among the victims and used for, among other purposes, burying those who perished during the fire.

The Mayor has also issued Executive Order No. 21 asking locals to give honor and pray for the souls of the dead.

Leonardia and barangay officials also have asked people to stay away from the fire scene so as to prevent contamination of evidence while a probe on the incident is ongoing.

Deputy Presidential spokesperson, Undersecretary Anthony Golez, who is a native of the city, has led the formation of a task force comprised of Disaster Coordinating Council representatives and barangay officials that will handle management of relief goods for distribution to fire victims.

Donations in kind and in cash have started to come in from Government and other sectors.