QUEZON CITY — The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Monday, Oct. 28, started distributing unconditional cash assistance to victims of Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine” in Albay province which was one of the hardest-hit areas.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said the immediate release of cash aid was pursuant to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for a “conveyor belt of aid” for victims of “Kristine.”
“Lahat po ng kaya nating itulong sa ating mga kababayan ay ibibigay natin–cash assistance, loan payment moratorium at posibleng relocation ng mga nasa danger zones,” Secretary Acuzar said.
“Bilin ng mahal na Pangulo ang tuluy-tuloy na pag-agapay sa mga biktima ng bagyo, kaya yan po ang gagawin ng DHSUD at aming key shelter agencies,” he added.
The distribution of cash assistance to 60 families from Daraga, Albay was spearheaded by the DHSUD Regional Office 5 (RO5) under the Department’s Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP).
Under IDSAP, DHSUD can provide unconditional cash assistance of P30,000 to families with totally damaged houses while P10,000 for those with partially damaged residences brought about by man-made or natural disasters.
The 60 IDSAP beneficiaries were composed of three families with totally damaged houses and 57 partially damaged Residences. They were from Barangays Ibaugan, Lacag, Budiao, Busay, Bagumbayan, Kiwalo, San Vicente Pequeño, Ilawod, Malobago, Cullat, Market Site, Pandan– all in Daraga.
Undersecretary Randy Escolango, DHSUD Undersecretary for Disaster Response, vowed continuous processing of applications for IDSAP from all other affected regions.
Apart from the cash aid, the DHSUD also ordered its KSAs to implement a moratorium on the payment of monthly amortization on housing loans of their members affected by “Kristine.” (DHSUD)
Photos courtesy of DHSUD.
