By Tony Chavez
To ensure timely response, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) activated its shelter clusters in areas along Tropical Storm Kristine's path on Tuesday.
Upon the instruction of DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, Undersecretary for Disaster Response Randy Escolango issued a memorandum hours after the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) called on all response clusters to prepare for the possible effects of "Kristine."
Regional Offices in the Ilocos Region (RO1), Cagayan Valley (RO2), Central Luzon (RO3), Calabarzon (RO4A), Mimaropa (4B), Bicol Region (RO5), Western Visayas (RO6), Central Visayas (RO7), Eastern Visayas (RO8), the National Capital Region (NCR), and Cordillera Administrative Region were ordered to activate their respective shelter clusters.
"This is in line with the directive of the President to ensure all necessary assistance is prepared and extended to our kababayans during disasters. We need to be proactive," Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said.
"Lahat ng kaya nating itulong dapat nakahanda bago pa tumama ang anumang kalamidad," he added.
In the memorandum, Undersecretary Escolango instructed the concerned Regional Directors to monitor their respective jurisdictions closely and to facilitate emergency response and humanitarian assistance if needed.
The order took effect starting Tuesday.
"All concerned Regional Directors are enjoined to convene a meeting with the respective shelter cluster members within the region and develop a plan of action using all available resources and interventions, " he added.
The move was prompted by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s Resolution No. 276 s. 2024, which activates the Shelter Cluster in response to the effects of "Kristine."
The DHSUD is the head of the shelter cluster.
The regional directors were also directed to submit daily situational reports to the DHSUD Central Office to monitor actions taken on the ground.
The DHSUD extends cash assistance from its Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP) to victims of calamities, artificial or natural.
Under IDSAP, the DHSUD provides cash assistance amounting to P30,000 for those with totally damaged houses due to calamities, artificial or natural, and P10,000 for the partially damaged.
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