By Michelle Ducut
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Region 5 (DHSUD-5) has allocated PHP15 million for emergency shelter aid to families in Catanduanes whose homes were damaged by Super Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-yi), which struck on November 16, 2024.
DHSUD-5 Director Atty. Richard Manila announced the funding on Wednesday, detailing its use for housing materials and cash assistance under the Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP). The program aims to provide immediate relief for residents whose houses were partially or totally destroyed.
“The emergency shelter response includes PHP15 million worth of housing materials and cash assistance ranging from PHP10,000 for partially damaged homes to PHP30,000 for totally damaged homes,” Manila said. He emphasized that the assistance will be distributed upon completion of requirements submitted by local government units (LGUs).
Manila also confirmed that he had met with Catanduanes Governor Joseph Cua and local chief executives of the province’s 11 municipalities to identify the most pressing needs. “Construction materials, such as galvanized iron sheets, plywood, and lumber, were highlighted as the most urgent requirements for rebuilding efforts,” he said.
The housing kits provided under the program include eight pieces of galvanized iron sheets, 10 pieces of quarter-inch plywood, 24 pieces of lumber, and two kilograms of nails. These kits are intended to serve as temporary shelter solutions while residents await long-term reconstruction.
To qualify for IDSAP cash assistance, LGUs are required to submit specific documents, including disaster reports, letters of request, and beneficiary eligibility sheets. These documents will be used by DHSUD’s validation team to ensure proper distribution of funds.
Once the LGUs fulfill the documentation requirements, DHSUD can proceed with processing the cash disbursements for affected households.
The Philippines is ranked among the most disaster-prone countries globally due to its geographic location along the Pacific Ring of Fire and typhoon belt. In 2016, the government introduced the Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program to streamline post-disaster recovery, especially in provinces like Catanduanes, which frequently bear the brunt of typhoons. Despite these efforts, the recurring destruction highlights the need for resilient infrastructure and improved disaster response frameworks.
DHSUD reiterated its commitment to supporting affected families and ensuring a more resilient recovery for communities in Catanduanes.