Gov’t shelter clusters ordered activated for ‘Pepito’

Philippine News Agency

WRECKED. A house in Panganiban, Catanduanes is leveled during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Pepito (international name Man-yi) on Saturday (Nov. 16, 2024). The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development on Sunday (Nov. 17) said it has activated the government shelter clusters along Pepito’s path to ensure readiness for the possible impact of the weather disturbance. (Photo: Cesar Robles/Facebook)

MANILA – The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has activated the government shelter clusters along the path of Super Typhoon Pepito (international name Man-yi) to ensure readiness for the possible impact of the weather disturbance.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said the move was meant to keep the proactive stance of DHSUD’s regional offices and ensure readiness to extend assistance.

“Hindi tayo mapapagod sa pagbibigay tulong sa panahon ng sakuna sa ating mga kababayan. Patuloy lang ang DHSUD sa paghahanap ng paraan upang mas makatulong pa sa mga nasasalanta ng kalamidad (We will never tire of helping our countrymen in times of disaster. The DHSUD continues to search for ways to help disaster victims even more),” Acuzar said in a news release on Sunday.

“Kasama po ang DHSUD sa hangarin ng mahal na Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na tuluy-tuloy na ayuda sa ating mga kababayan (The DHSUD is with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his wish to extend continuous aid to our countrymen).”

On Saturday, DHSUD Undersecretary for Disaster Response Randy Escolango issued a memorandum ordering concerned regional offices to keep their respective shelter clusters activated for tropical cyclones Nika and Ofel, and the activation for Pepito.

The activation of the shelter clusters stemmed from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s (NDRRMC) issuance of Memoranda 310 and 352 series of 2024 regarding preparations for the effects of Nika, Ofel, and Pepito.

“In view of the foregoing, all concerned DHSUD Regional Offices are hereby directed to activate your respective shelter clusters effective Nov.16, 2024, 8 a.m. in connection with Super Typhoon Pepito to closely monitor your respective areas of jurisdiction, and to facilitate emergency response and humanitarian assistance as needed,” the memo read.

“Regional shelter clusters shall also continue to be activated in connection with Typhoons Nika and Ofel.”

After the recent havoc wreaked by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, the DHSUD, in partnership with Metrobank Foundation, Inc., distributed home materials and essentials (HOMEs) to families affected by Kristine in the provinces of Batangas and Camarines Sur.

More than 1,500 HOMEs, provided by MFI and Ayala, were delivered.

Apart from HOMEs, the DHSUD also extends unconditional cash assistance to families whose houses were destroyed or damaged by calamities, man-made or naturally-induced.

Under the DHSUD’s Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP), the department can provide PHP30,000 to families whose houses were wrecked and PHP10,000 for thosebwhose houses were damaged. (PR)