The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) is realigning its resources to immediately address the needs of the communities affected by the magnitude 7 earthquake in Northern Luzon on July 27.

In a report by RH 14 Leth Narcisco on MBC Network News, DHSUD’s data showed that from 14,798 houses damaged by the earthquake, it went up to 20,000. About 300 houses were totally destroyed.

In the Laging Handa briefing, DHUSD Assistant Secretary Avelino Tolentino said the newly-appointed DHUSD Secretary Jose “Jerry” Acuzar called an urgent meeting to discuss the programs for the North Luzon earthquake victims.

Tolentino said Acuzar asked the directors of Region 1 - Ilocos Region, Region 2- Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) to implement intervention programs to respond to the situation.

Acuzar specifically mentioned the Rental Subsidy and the reintegration of the Disaster Shelter Assistance Program.

Both programs will provide financial or material assistance to families for the repair or construction of their houses.

Following this, the President ordered that all infrastructures such as roads, buildings, hospitals, and houses that will be built in the future should be disaster-proof.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center reported on Monday, August 1, that 3,588 people are currently in 38 evacuation centers and 44,889 people are staying with friends or relatives in the provinces in Regions 1, 2, and CAR.