In the aftermath of a destructive fire that swept through numerous residences in the elevated Himalandrog village on February 19, swift assistance was extended to affected families by both the Samar provincial government and the Calbayog city government.
A total of 72 families were beneficiaries of a P30,000 cash aid, with P20,000 coming from the provincial government and an additional P10,000 as a contribution from the city. According to the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), the fire completely razed 69 houses in Himalandrog and caused partial damage to three others.
The distribution of assistance was orchestrated by Rep. Stephen James Tan (1st district), Mayor Raymund Uy, and Vice Mayor Rex Daguman, alongside representatives from various government agencies. In addition to the financial aid, fire victims also received support from the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the form of both food and non-food items, including family food packs, kitchen kits, family kits, and distilled water.
Beyond devastating homes, the fire also left an impact on several school buildings in the vicinity. Chief Fire Inspector Leo Joshua Dangatan from the Calbayog City Bureau of Fire Protection explained that the challenging terrain of Himalandrog posed obstacles for firefighting efforts, as the absence of a nearby fire substation and the difficult access to the village made containment challenging. Dangatan emphasized that the nearest accessible village with vehicular access is in Barangay Tanval, necessitating a trek of over an hour.
