LEGAZPI CITY: The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) 5 (Bicol) confirmed on Wednesday that a PHP15 million emergency shelter response fund has been allotted for families whose homes were destroyed by Super Typhoon Pepito (international name Man-yi) in Catanduanes province. In an interview, DHSUD-5 director lawyer Richard Manila said the assistance was allocated for housing materials and essentials to be distributed to affected households in the province.

According to Philippines News Agency, the fund will be used for housing materials and essentials, with cash assistance of PHP10,000 and PHP30,000 allocated for partially and totally damaged houses, respectively, through the Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP). Manila personally visited Catanduanes and reported to Governor Joseph Cua the initial assistance ready for the victims of Pepito.

During his visit, Manila discussed with the local chief executives (LCEs) of the 11 towns and Governor Joseph Cua the immediat
e needs of the affected communities. Most of them requested construction materials to rebuild homes destroyed by the typhoon. Manila detailed that the Home Repair Kit, which will be distributed, includes eight pieces of galvanized iron sheets, 10 pieces of one-fourth plywood, 24 pieces of lumber, and two kilograms of nails.

The Home Repair Kit aims to provide a temporary shelter solution for those affected by the typhoon. Manila also explained the requirements for the IDSAP cash assistance. The local government units (LGUs) must submit a letter request from the chief executives, disaster reports, and beneficiary eligibility sheets. These documents will serve as the basis for the validation team to process the aid.

Once the LGUs submit their requests, the DHSUD can begin processing the cash assistance under the IDSAP, providing vital support to the communities in Catanduanes as they start to rebuild their lives.