Brgy 19 declares state of calamity
BODY OF 17TH CASUALTY FOUND
BY CARLA GOMEZ & CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

Part of the charred remains of the 26-year-old missing mother were found yesterday morning beneath the rubble of what was once a boarding house, confirming the death of 17 in the fire that hit Barangay 19 in  Bacolod City Monday, Fire Marshall Pamela Rojane Candido said.

Found were the remains of Annavic Celiz, 26, who had been reported dead by City Social Worker Sally Abelarde Monday, but which Candido refused to confirm until evidence was found.

The bodies of Celiz’s partner fish vendor Joselito Cabajosa, 28, and their children Carl Joshua, 3, Analyn, 7, and Adah Pauline, 6, were immediately found after the fire on Monday morning.

 “I don’t know where to go after I am released from jail since I lost my whole family,” Wesver Demandar, 20, said yesterday after seeing the caskets of his parents and younger brother at the gymnasium of Barangay 19 in Bacolod City.

A mass was held at 2 p.m. yesterday for the casualties of the fire that razed a boarding house in Barangay 19 early Monday morning claiming the lives of 17 persons.

Demandar’s parents, Junifer, 45, and Jenalyn, and his brother Joshua, 10, were among those who were burned to death during the incident.

Department of Social Welfare and Development representatives from Manila are arriving in Bacolod to provide further assistance for the victims of the fire that hit Barangay 19 in Bacolod City, Undersecretary Anthony Golez said yesterday.

The DSWD will provide the families P10,000 each for each fatality, and shelter assistance to those who lost their homes, he said.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said he welcomes everyone who wants to extend help to the fire victims. He is only appealing that they respect the authorities or established institutions like the Department of Social Services and Development.