By Ma. Teresa Montemayor | Philippine News Agency
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and its key shelter agencies (KSAs) have mobilized financial and housing relief for thousands of families affected by the June 8 magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Mindanao.
In a news release on Wednesday, the agency said the mobilization follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to accelerate recovery efforts through swift government interventions.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling reported that the agency has deployed modular shelter units, distributed repair materials and provided housing loan payment relief for affected borrowers.
A major component of the response is the National Housing Authority’s (NHA) Emergency Housing Assistance Program, where qualified families with totally damaged houses will receive P30,000, while those with partially damaged structures will receive P10,000.
The NHA has begun processing the cash assistance, subject to validation and endorsement by local government units (LGUs) and disaster assessment authorities.
“Ang direktiba ng Pangulo ay malinaw. Kailangang maramdaman agad ng ating mga kababayan ang tulong ng pamahalaan habang sila ay bumabangon mula sa epekto ng lindol,” he said.
“Sa DHSUD, nakatutok tayo sa pagbibigay ng agarang suporta upang matugunan ang kanilang pangangailangan sa pabahay at matulungan silang makapagsimulang muli,” he added.
The DHSUD has also directed its key shelter agencies to coordinate closely with LGUs to fast-track beneficiary identification and the delivery of construction materials to the affected communities.
Aliling also accompanied President Marcos Jr. during an inspection of affected areas in Sarangani province and Region 12 to personally assess the earthquake’s impact on local communities, public infrastructure, and residents.
