Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

Rebaldo Requests Assistance

for Fire Victims

It pains to everybody watching fire raging in C. Laserna St., which turned into ashes some 250 houses and rendered about 2,500 persons homeless.
No one is responsible for the accident that damaged P10 million worth of private properties.

While the family residents of C. Laserna Street are the direct victims, all Aklanons and even non-Aklanons feel the pains. Sympathy, moral, material, and financial assistance were given the victims. Government resources are being spent to alleviate the sad condition of the victims.

Government resources were spent such as for the firemen to control the fire. Police assistance was provided to keep peace in the area.

After the fire, the victims were provided with shelter and food. Relief goods were provided by the govern-ment, humanitarian organizations, civic clubs, and public officials. Indeed, it is very hard to experience catastrophe like the fire on October 31 in C. Laserna, Kalibo.

Kalibo Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo requested for assistance the day after the fire. His plea was channeled via several radio stations in Kalibo and through the national networks in behalf of the fire victims. He also appealed via the LGU Kalibo Ka Tribu CBIS Hot FM radio.

Rebaldo requested for clothes, food stuffs, sleeping mats, and tarpaulins for use as temporary shelter. The Sangguniang Bayan of Kalibo in a joint emergency session with the Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council approved a resolution declaring the State of Calamity the area devastated by fire in the afternoon of Saturday October 31.

Glancing at the bright side, the scenario after the disaster is a golden chance for Mayor Rebaldo to draft a plan, approve and implement it. Mayor Rebaldo has enough time to make C. Laserna the most desirable place to stay and enjoy in the beautiful spot of Aklan.

And he can do this until June 30, 2010. He can construct a boulevard along the bank of the Aklan river to provide rest and recreation area for everybody, for Aklanons and their guests.

To provide shelter for the fire victims, multi level residential building maybe constructed. If there are two buildings with 10 levels each, all the families affected by fire will be accommodated. With these vertical housing model, more spaces will be saved for other uses such as school, playground, and parking spaces for vehicles.

Like in Singapore, the rooms are being leased to the tenants for life at moderate, affordable rental fee. The government retains ownership of the building. Once the lessee dies, the heirs are given priority to rent. Once the lessee vacates the room, the government rents it to the next interested person.

Money is not a problem. The government can source money easily for the housing construction. Shelter is one of the 10 agenda of the government.

Good Indicator

Mayor Rebaldo has provided excellent indicator of a progressive thinking person. It is encouraging to see heavy equipment constructing roads in C. Laserna, the fire disaster cite.

May this road construction be done religiously on sincere to goodness urban develop-ment. The roads will enhance movement of people and goods in the area, improve peace and order, prevent illegals to take place, make the area healthful, and most peaceful and enjoyable place to live.

With the road construction, Mayor Rebaldo may include drainage, flood control, sewerage system for the central part of Kalibo.

These constructions will be outstanding with multi level building for the people of C. Laserna. Having done these as of June 30, 2010, Mayor Rebaldo has an everlasting legacy for his people, transforming C. Laserna Street into most desirable and agreeable place to live. /MP