Students who were affected by the recent fire that broke out at the Quarry District, Salazar St. are now being accommodated at the Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) as the aftermath of the fire rendered boarding houses and residences in the area unhabitable on Monday, September 11.
The university, also accommodating students from Leyte Normal University (LNU) and Leyte National High School (LNHS) who were affected by the fire, have identified the campus’ Engineering Building rooms and the Inner Court as the evacuation sites for the students who were displaced.
University President Dr. Dennis C. De Paz, along with Vice President for Administration and Finance Dr. Benedicto T. Militante, personally extended their concerns to the students as they oversaw the students’ accommodation.
It was also the University President’s prerogative to open the university to the students upon hearing of the accident.
According to Student Affairs and Services Office (SASO) Director Dr. Sonia T. Enrile, their office will be organizing a donation drive, together with the help of the Supreme Student Government (SSG), to accept clothing and other monetary assistance they can gather from the university’s employees and students.
“We are accepting donations from employees, as well as students also, any amount they can help to those who are affected,” said the SASO Director.
SASO has yet to open official channels where donations can be given, but reassured that they will be announcing soon together with the SSG.
Students were assisted by university personnel and members of the Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) as the evacuees were asked to fill up information sheets before being escorted inside university premises.
Ralph Lawrence B. Condes, Executive Secretary of the SSG and one of the affected students, expressed his distress during the predicament as he sought to gather what he can amidst the fire spreading.
“During the fire, when I was there, I panicked at that time. The fire was strong, so we didn’t know whether to take our things or save our lives. What I did instead was gather my important things, while I left the things I can’t lift because I needed to prioritize myself,” said the SSG member.
Condes, despite his predicament, expressed gratitude to the university’s initiative in housing its students, as well as students from other universities and schools who were affected.
“I would like to thank EVSU for taking charge and for initiating to help even students outside of the university. They also took charge in helping us, for which I am very thankful. It is proof that despite there were no classes and it was already night, the University President took charge in helping the affected,” he said.
When asked whether they can estimate how long the students are to be accommodated inside the university, personnel from SASO said that they cannot say for sure how long as the situation is still an emergency.
Meanwhile, no statements regarding the possible suspension of classes amidst the use of the ABS-CBN Building and the accommodation of students inside the campus were made by the university.
Article by Ton Sierolf Cairo