More than P6 million cash assistance and home materials were distributed to typhoon victims Bicol region following the onslaught of weather disturbances that began with tropical storm “Kristine” which caused widespread flooding in Albay and super typhoon “Pepito” which pounded Catanduanes, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) said.
The cash and home material assistance were distributed to around 350 families of the two provinces on Thursday, Nov. 21, which include P10,000 for families with partially damaged houses and P30,000 for those with totally damaged homes.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said the assistance was under the department’s Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP) and was in compliance with President Marcos’ directive for all government agencies to extend assistance to victims of the recent typhoons.
Among the recipients of IDSAP were seven families from Camalig; six from Daraga; 31 from Guinobatan; 32 from Libon; 15 from Oas; 10 from Pio Duran; 33 from Polangui, and 20 from Tabaco City--all had totally damaged houses. They received P30,000 each.
Those who received P10,000 for their partially damaged residences were 186 families from Daraga; nine from Oas; five from Pio Duran, and two in Polangui.
Undersecretary for Disaster Response Randy Escolango, who represented Secretary Acuzar, personally oversaw the humanitarian mission at the Ibalong Centrum for Recreation in Legazpi Citu along with DHSUD Regional Office 5 Director Richard Manila, Strategic Communications and Public Affairs Service Director Mario Mallari and other housing officials.
Prior to the Legazpi City event, Undersecretary Escolango joined House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Ako Bicol Partylist Representative and House Appropriations Committee chairman Zaldy Co in Virac, Catanduanes for a separate humanitarian mission.
Some P15 million worth of home materials and essentials (HOMEs) were delivered to Catanduanes for distribution to typhoon victims.
Last week, the DHSUD also delivered 1,000 home materials and essentials (HOMEs), worth about P14 million, in Naga City and Camarines Sur.
Another batch of HOMEs amounting to P22 million are set to be delivered to Camarines Sur and Naga City in the aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.