ZAMBOANGA CITY – Mayor Celso Lobregat extended cash assistance to the 19 families whose houses were destroyed by fire and a monsoon surge early last month.

Lobregat personally gave a check of P5,000 to each of the seven families whose houses were razed by fire at Baregon in Tugbungan last October 2.

The mayor also extended another P5,000 assistance to five families who lost their houses to a monsoon surge that occurred on the coast of Barangay Patalon last October 7. Two house-owners who were partially affected also received P3,000 each.

The cash distribution was held at the City Hall’s conference room under the supervision of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), Evelyn M. Las Marias and an officer from the City Treasurer’s Office.

The grant of cash aid to victims of calamities is part of the city government’s intensified social services. The identification of beneficiaries was facilitated by the CSDWO.

Meanwhile, Lobregat declared that the city government will strictly comply with the law prohibiting the establishment of houses or structures along the shorelines, as these are considered environmentally hazardous areas.

A number of those affected by the monsoon surge in Patalon were also victims of the November 27, 2007 storm surge.

Despite the warning, they reconstructed their houses along the shorelines, thus, the unfortunate incident last October.

Those who received assistance from the city Sunday signed a waiver declaring that they will no longer construct their houses along the shorelines or other environmentally hazardous areas.

Lobregat said the city is strictly prohibiting the construction of structures along the shorelines in view of directives from national agencies and to protect the welfare of the constituents.