The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) instructed all its regional directors to prepare emergency shelters for residents that would be displaced by flooding and other adverse effects of typhoon “Carina”.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said a memorandum was already issued for the activation of the regional shelter clusters in response to the effects of the weather disturbance.
“This is to ensure readiness of the cluster teams to respond to shelter needs of typhoon-affected areas. We are always ready to provide assistance to our affected kababayan,” said Acuzar.
The activation of activate shelter clusters was prompted by the advisory from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) about heavy rainfalls in Metro Manila, Region 3 and some parts of Regions 1, 2, 4A, 4B and 5 which may result to flooding and landslides.
The order was directed to the DHSUD Regional Offices 1, 2, 3, 4B, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 13, Cordillera Administrative Region and National Capital Region.
DHSUD Undersecretary for Disaster Response Randy Escolango said their regional offices were instructed to closely monitor their respective areas of jurisdiction and facilitate emergency response and humanitarian assistance as needed.
The regional directors, he added, are enjoined to coordinate with the respective shelter cluster members within their regions and convene using all available means.
“We need to ensure that affected families have enough resources and safe shelter. Our regional offices will lead the consolidation of validated reports from the ground so we can take appropriate actions. Secretary Acuzar made it clear that DHSUD must provide the needs of affected families in a timely manner,” Escolango said.
To ensure real-time reporting and corresponding actions, Escolango said the regional directors are directed to submit daily situational report.
Hundreds of families were affected and were forced to flee their homes due to flooding caused by heavy rains in the past few days.