QUEZON CITY — To maintain proactive stance for the possible effects of Tropical Cyclone “Marce”, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Tuesday activated its shelter clusters nationwide.
The move was in compliance to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive for government agencies to brace for possible effects of the cyclone.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar ordered Department officials to initiate efforts even before the landfall of “Marce” which has intensified.
Undersecretary for Disaster Response Randy Escolango issued a memorandum hours after the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) called for preparedness of all member-agencies in anticipation to the possible effects of the weather disturbance.
According to Secretary Acuzar, nationwide alertness for this typhoon is necessary as areas from Luzon to Mindanao are forecasted to have severe winds and hazards affecting regions near coastal waters.
“Activating our teams on the ground days before landfall will better position our responses to ensure faster delivery of DHSUD services,” he said.
The memorandum order stated that “all Regional Directors are enjoined to convene a meeting with the respective Shelter Cluster members within the region and develop a plan of action using all resources and interventions available”.
The DHSUD is the head of the national government shelter cluster.
To ensure timely and proper actions, the regional directors were also directed to submit daily situational report to DHSUD Central Office.
“Mahalaga na may plano nang mailatag bago pa man dumating ang bagyo. Makatutulong ito para maging epektibo ang mga serbisyo natin para sa ating mga kababayan na utos ng mahal na Pangulong Bongbong Marcos Jr. ,” Secretary Acuzar added.
For post-disaster efforts, the DHSUD extends unconditional cash assistance from its Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP) to victims of calamities, man-made or natural.
Under IDSAP, the Department provides unconditional cash assistance amounting to P30,000 for those with totally damaged houses due to calamities, man-made or natural, and P10,000 for the partially damaged.
For victims of Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine,” DHSUD facilitated the distribution on Monday of P8.5 million worth of home materials and essentials (HOMEs) to affected families in Talisay, Agoncillo and Laurel in Batangas. The HOMEs were donated by Metrobank Foundation Inc. (DHSUD)
