Metro Manila, Philippines – Bongao Mayor Jasper Que announced on Wednesday, Feb. 4 that the entire Municipality of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi is under a State of Calamity after a massive fire swept through a residential area there on Tuesday, Feb 3.

The fire engulfed almost 1,000 houses which left 690 households displaced with no casualties reported.

Total damages reported is estimated to be at P17.5M and P18M for private and public properties, respectively.

The municipal resolution states that about 30% of the municipal Quick-Response-Fund (QRF) will be used to assist affected individuals.

Meanwhile, Fire Inspector Wagner A. Kamlian, the acting Municipal Fire Marshall of Bureau of Fire Protection Bongao Central Fire Station, said the investigation on the cause of the fire is ongoing.

“The fire investigation is still ongoing so that we can have accurate data on the total damages and the actual cause of fire,” he said.