DSHUD to aid typhoon-hit families in Bicol, Calabarzon

Meanwhile, residents with partially damaged houses will receive PHP5,000. (File Photo: Civil Defense PH/Facebook)

MANILA – The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) said it is targeting to use its emergency housing assistance program fund to help families hit by Super Typhoon Rolly in the Bicol and Calabarzon regions.

In a statement on Thursday, Secretary Eduardo del Rosario said the DHSUD will provide financial assistance to typhoon-hit families.

Del Rosario said residents with severely destroyed houses will receive cash amounting to PHP10,000 from the housing department.

Meanwhile, residents with partially damaged houses will receive PHP5,000.

Del Rosario said they will distribute the cash assistance not later than Nov.11 as it cited the immediate need of the victims.

“I have given instructions to concerned agencies, while waiting for the final data to be submitted by the local government units, to organize a number of teams that will go to the affected provinces, prepare the money, go to the affected areas and give the cash directly on the ground,” del Rosario said.

The DHSUD said it is also studying the possible resettlement of the typhoon-affected families.

Del Rosario said the department “would need to coordinate with the LGUs in formulating effective relocation strategies.”

He said all identified measures will be carried out after developing in-depth planning and in close consultation with the affected communities.

According to the DHSUD, initial reports recorded at least 79,000 houses were partially damaged by the typhoon, while another 30,384 were severely destroyed.

Most of the severely destroyed houses were made from light materials, it added.

Del Rosario has immediately called for an emergency meeting with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Housing Authority, and DHSUD Regional Offices 4-A and 5 to discuss the possible assistance they could provide to the typhoon victims.