By Tony Chavez
Hours after the President issued the directive during the situation briefing by the NDRRMC, DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar ordered Regional Directors in the affected areas to start collaborating with LGUs to facilitate the expeditious provision of assistance to affected families under the Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP).
"Ngayon pa lamang ay dapat naka-on board na tayo sa LGUs para mabilis ang validation kung ilan at sino ang agarang tutulungan dahil nasiraan ng tahanan," Secretary Acuzar said.
"Dapat agaran ang pagbibigay natin ng assistance dahil ngayon na kailangan ito," he added.
In response, DHSUD Undersecretary for Disaster Response Randy Escolango immediately issued a memorandum to ROs in the areas affected by "Kristine," urging them to "adopt an anticipatory and proactive approach in actively coordinating with the LGUs within their respective jurisdictions."
"In line with this, your ROs must ensure that information about the DHSUD's financial assistance under the IDSAP is effectively communicated. This includes providing concerned LGUs with complete and accurate forms to facilitate the processing of IDSAP requests," the memo stated.
Under IDSAP, the DHSUD provides cash assistance amounting to P30,000 for those with totally damaged houses due to calamities, man-made or natural, and P10,000 for partially damaged houses.
On Tuesday, Secretary Acuzar ordered the activation of shelter clusters in Regional Offices in 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 to ensure preparedness.
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