P25M fire razes Talibon market

TALIBON – FIRE caused by an electrical short circuit inside the Talibon Public Market razed to the ground a total of 253 market stalls in Bohol 's most recent fire incident. According to fire investigators, witnesses said they observed flickering of the market lights prior to the incident at 1:45 December 9. Eleven responding firetrucks from nearby towns including the ones from the city took strategic posts in fighting the fire which has raged into a blazing inferno minutes after the alarms were razed. Strong winds spawned by tropical storm Seniang added to the firemen's worries and sped up the spread of the fire.

Talibon Mayor Juanario Item, Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council chairman, himself roused from sleep during the fire, immediately went to the scene and dispatched the alarm to neighboring fire stations. The fire was controlled at around 5:30 a.m. after it has gutted the stalls. Bureau of Fire Protection authorities estimated the damages within the vicinity of P25M.

The town dad right away asked members of the Sangguniang Bayan to hold a Sunday special session to take immediate action to address the problem. At the session, Mayor Item, local department heads and Gov. Erico Aumentado attended. During the session the SB passed a resolution declaring the Municipality of Talibon under the state of calamity. Other resolutions were passed asking cash assistance addressed to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Vice-President Noli de Castro, 21 senators, Congressman Roberto Cajes and Gov. Erico Aumentado.

Gov. Aumentado in turn, promised P2M out of the provincial calamity fund and invited Item to Manila to personally hand the resolutions to the president and senators. As this happened, Bohol first lady, Perigrina Aumentado and Capitol staff doled out relief assistance to fire victims at the municipal hall lobby. Given from the provincial government were five kilos of rice, canned goods and noodles.

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