The Department of Housing is expected to step in and bolster the welfare department’s efforts to aid victims who have lost their homes to the onslaught of recent typhoons.
In an exclusive interview with DZRH, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian told Anthony Taberna the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development or DHSUD will have to augment the financial assistance his Department offers, which is meant to restore disaster victims’ livelihoods and facilitate immediate home repairs.
Gatchalian said the DSWD’s ₱10,000 in financial aid is meant to be disbursed alongside DHSUD funds, as per the President’s directive that government agencies support one another.
"Kay Pang. Bongbong Marcos lagi niyang sinasabi na hindi kaya ng ahensya dapat pinagtutulungan," Gatchalian noted.
"Sa DSWD mayroon kaming nilalabas na financial assistance na ₱10,000 right after a storm para makatulong sa livelihood at agarang pagpapaayos ng mga dapat ayusin pero papasok rin ang Department of Housing kasi mayroon silang Core Shelter Assistance," he added.
(President Bongbong Marcos always says that a single agency can't handle it, they should be working together. From the DSWD, we shell out ₱10,000 for financial assistance after a storm to aid with livelihood and the immediate repairs of anything needing repairs, but the Department of Housing will also enter the picture because they have Core Shelter Assistance.)
The recent tropical cyclones left 7,401 houses partly ruined, and 437 completely destroyed, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
