The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) IX, through its Public Housing and Settlements Division (PHSD), led the distribution on February 18, of shelter assistance under the Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP) Emergency Shelter Support (ESS). This initiative was carried out in collaboration with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) headed by CSWDO Nor-Aina Asmara, who spearheaded the verification of affected families to ensure fair and proper distribution of aid.
Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman commended the efforts of DHSUD and CSWDO and emphasized the city government’s unwavering commitment to providing timely and meaningful support to families recovering from calamities. During the event, she also shared the city’s initiatives to address climate change, including plans to build an evacuation center as one of the priority projects to strengthen disaster preparedness. She highlighted the importance of community cooperation and initiatives such as mangrove planting to enhance resilience against climate change.
A total of P820,000 was distributed as shelter assistance to 40 beneficiaries affected by the onslaught of Tropical Depression Ferdie on September 14 last year. Nineteen families whose homes were partially damaged received P10,000 each, while 21 families who lost their homes entirely received P30,000 each.
The beneficiaries came from various barangays, including Aguada, Begang, Eastside, La Piedad, Lanote, Panigayan, Sunrise, and Tampalan. These beneficiaries were identified through on-site validation to ensure effective program implementation.
Officials from DHSUD IX, including Public Housing and Settlements Division Chief Bibi Concepcion Indanan, Admin and Finance Division OIC Chief Angelita Mabalod, Regional Cashier Shonie Ocampo, and other staff, were present to oversee the smooth distribution process. SAO Robert Arseña and personnel from the CSWDO also supported the distribution efforts to ensure its orderly implementation for the benefit of the recipients. (Words by SJ Asakil/Photos by M. Santos, CIO)
