Aris, Van, Jamie bring aid to Nocnocan fire victims

NOCNOCAN ISLAND, Talibon, Bohol (PIA)–Reinstated governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado, his wife Congresswoman Vanessa Cadorna Aumentado and nephew Board member Jiselle Rae Villamor Jamie Aumentado led a team of government social services workers to check on the condition of 12 families whose houses  got razed in a midday fire last August 08, 2024 here. 

About 14 families living in 12 houses that have been partially and totally ruined by fire have to be temporarily relocated to the Barangay covered court and cultural center, as government relief agencies continue to pool resources to help the victims.

From their personal pockets, the Aumentados pooled in P10 K for each affected family, while promised another P10K from the provincial government even as Talibon Mayor Janet Garcia hauled municipal employees for relief operations to the island.

The congresswoman also gave 10 galvanized iron sheets for each family victim for roofing materials of the rebuilding process, and promised P2M to the Barangay for their covered court or any barangay priority project.

The Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (OPSWD) also brought in kitchen and home utensils for affected families, while Board member Villamor brought in hygiene kits, school supplies and baby kits for the victims.

Talibon LGU, according to mayor Garcia is also sending financial assistance anytime, while Talibon councilor Max Garcia also put in P2K for each family victim.

A simple distribution ceremony happened at the temporary evacuation site at the covered court.

The officials, in mostly personal capacities, handed out P5K assistance for partially damaged homes, P2K from Councilor Max Garcia, a boxful of grocery items and hygiene kits to Egene Bacaltos, Mary Rose Daño, Jobel Tongco, Lilibeth Padin, Josefina Talingting and Anito Dela Torre.

Homeowners whose houses were totalled received P10K, 2K from Councilor Garcia, box of groceries and hygiene kits.

They were Algin Rico, Kimberly Romo, Judy Rico, Josefa Rico, Ma. Nancy Rico, Felicitas Amorin, Mariel Lopez, Aiza Daño and Sylvia Bacaltos.

It was with anticipation that the residents of island barangay Nocnocan’s Purok San Roque prepared as they await for their annual feastday for San Roque.

But, unattended over-eager kids playing with matches would frustrate the fiesta preparation for most of the victims.

“The fire broke out around 11 am, when homeowner Rhea Lica Romo was in mainland Talibon to process her papers as single parent,” shared barangay officials during the visit.

It was fortunate that the winds that time we’re are standstill, or we would not have a fighting chance in containing the fire, and the whole island may be in a true disaster, according to barangay tanods. (PIABohol)