Philex to spend P100-M to relocate fire victims

TUBA, Benguet – Despite its limited lifespan which is only projected to last until 2016, the management of the Philex Mining corporation will spend around P100 million to put up sturdier structures that will accommodate hundreds of individuals who were displaced by a huge fire that gutted 13 bunk houses and cottages owned by the company and two other private cottages last month.

Aside from providing the 73 displaced families with financial assistance to help them cope, Philex has also commissioned a prestigious firm to plan and build the structures to be built which will be occupied by the families the coming months.

Lawyer Eduardo Aratas, chief of Philex’s legal division, said the company is showing its sincere commitment to provide convenience to the fire victims considering that almost all of them have been part of the company over the past several decades, thus, the management is committed to address their concerns, especially in times of natural or man-made calamities such as the latest fire incident that affected the firm.

According to Aratas, 30 families who were not able to save personal belongings during the fire were given P10,000 each while the 43 families who were able to spare part of their belongings from the incident received P7,500 each apart from the food and other items given to them by the company.

The Philex official said hired planners for the structures have already completed the company’s ambitious plan and are ready to be submitted to their top level management prior to its implementation so that the displaced families will be able to occupy their new homes and experience the convenience of having a descent dwelling while working for the company.

At around 8:30 am, a fire which emanated from one of the private cottages below the mine camp suddenly gutted other nearby structures and immediately spread because of the strong wind that blew that time coupled with dry weather among other factors.

It reportedly razed eight bunk houses, five cottages owned by the company and two private cottages.

The fire lasted for over four and a half hours.

The fire victims were temporarily housed in school premises of the elementary and secondary schools within the mine camp before they were relocated to a temporary housing complex which will serve as their dwelling in order not to disrupt the smooth conduct of classes especially that children are now winding up their stay in school for the current school year.