Displaced Boracay vendors to be relocated

AKLAN, Philippines – The municipal government of Malay is relocating 95 vendors who lost their market stalls in a fire in Talipapa Bukid in Boracay on June 17.

The fish, meat, fruits and vegetable vendors are set to be temporarily relocated to a 1,000-square meter private property in Sitio Kipot in Barangay Manoc-Manoc, on Saturday, January 20, a local official said.

Malay Sangguniang Bayan member Jupiter Aelred Gallenero, who is also the Boracay Fire Incident Management commandeer, said the temporary relocation site is located about 200 meters away from the main road of Barangay Manoc-Manoc. 

The incident management team met with the vendors and their leaders in a dialogue on June 19. The dialogue was also attended by the Bureau of Fire Protection-Boracay, Municipal Health Office, and the Boracay Tourist Assistance Center officials.  

Gallenero said the municipal government will help the vendors to put up their market stalls in the area which they can use free of charge for 3 months.

He said the municipal government also plans to construct a standard public market in the area. 

“After 3 months, siguro may konting renta ang mga vendors. Ang LGU may plano to have a public market sa lugar (After 3 months, the vendors may be charged a small rental fee,” Gallenero said.

Investigation ongoing

Meanwhile, fire authorities are still investigating the cause and origin of the fire that gutted hundreds of market stalls and houses in Talipapa Bukid in Sitio Manggayad, said Fire Officer 3 Franklin Arubang, arson investigator of BFP-Boracay. (READ: Hundreds displaced by Boracay fire)

Arubang said, “BFP is considering all angles of the fire incident in Talipapa Bukid to help them determine the cause, circumstances and origin (of the fire).”

Damage to property was initially placed at P20-million. No casualties or missing persons were reported.

“This is a wake-up call for the BFP and fire brigade volunteers to improve their fire fighting capability and all stakeholders, and the local government to observe fire safety measures and follow the Fire Code,” BFP-Boracay chief Inspector Stephen Jardeleza said. 

To strengthen community response, the BFP is eyeing to activate volunteer fire brigades in Barangay Manoc-Manoc, especially for fire-prone areas. 

Aside from Talipapa Bukid, 3 areas in Barangay Manoc-Manoc were also identified by BFP as fire-prone, as they have houses made of light materials.

Meanwhile, 40 people are still staying at the Manoc-Manoc covered court, one of the designated evacuation centers. 

Some 120 families received food packs, relief goods, used clothings and medical assistance from non-governmenta; organizations and local officials. 

As of yesterday, some 800 individuals were listed by the local social welfare office as victims of the Boracay fire in Talipapa Bukid. – Rappler.com