Under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the Philippine government has enhanced its disaster response strategy, delivering immediate shelter assistance to calamity victims through the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the distribution of various assistance, including housing materials and essentials or HOMES, to typhoon-affected families in Talisay, Batangas province on Nov. 4.
At the core of this effort is a commitment to efficiency, transparency, and urgency in mobilizing resources to aid families recovering from devastation.
In the aftermath of typhoons Carina, Enteng, Kristine, Pepito, and Ofel, DHSUD, led by Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, played a central role in the administration’s “conveyor belt of aid,” ensuring seamless coordination with local government units (LGUs) and the swift deployment of shelter assistance programs across affected regions.
The Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP) stands as a flagship initiative, providing ₱30,000 in cash aid to families whose homes were completely destroyed and ₱10,000 to those with partially damaged residences.
As of mid-December, ₱130 million out of the allocated ₱200 million IDSAP fund had been distributed, assisting over 6,000 families.
Complementing this is the Housing Materials and Essentials (HOMEs) program, which supplies essential construction kits worth ₱15,000 each. Thousands of families in the Bicol Region, severely affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, have already benefited from these kits.
As a proactive measure, Secretary Acuzar directed all Regional Offices to be prepared to activate their respective shelter clusters to ensure swift response after disasters strike. The DHSUD is the head of the government emergency shelter cluster.
“President Bongbong Marcos Jr. has made it unequivocally clear that every available resources must be mobilized, and no family should be left waiting for aid,” said Secretary Acuzar.
In addition, DHSUD’s Key Shelter Agencies (KSAs), namely, Pag-IBIG Fund, the National Housing Authority (NHA), National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation, and the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC)—were directed to implement moratorium on housing loan payments in calamity-affected areas.
President Marcos Jr. has emphasized the importance of sustainable, long-term recovery plans, including relocation projects in partnership with private developers to mitigate the impact of disasters.
AID TO BENEFICIARIES
DHSUD rolls out IDSAP across the country pursuant to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive for all government agencies to extend assistance to victims of typhoons in 2024.
At the grassroots level, families in Albay have begun receiving IDSAP cash assistance. Beneficiary Judes Luna Lopez expressed gratitude, saying, “Hindi po namin ine-expect na ganito ang mangyayari po na mabibigyan kami ng cash. Kay President Bongbong Marcos, maraming-maraming salamat po sa mga ganitong biyaya na binibigay ninyo.”
Another recipient, Nape Domingo Villamor, shared how the aid will help rebuild their home: “Napakaganda po at nagpapasalamat po kami sa kanilang programa, kasi po malaking tulong po ito sa amin. Maraming maraming salamat po, Pangulo, sa binigay ninyong tulong sa amin. Taos puso po kaming nagpapasalamat.”
DHSUD Undersecretary for Disaster Response Randy Escolango says that the agency remains proactive in finding ways to further expedite and enhance the delivery of IDSAP to ensure timely and efficient provision of the much-needed assistance.
As one of the world’s most disaster-prone nations, the Philippines faces numerous challenges pose by natural calamities. However, the Marcos Jr. administration’s proactive approach—focused on preparedness, swift action, and financial aid—marks a significant step forward in disaster resilience.
For thousands of Filipino families, these measures symbolize not just recovery, but also a chance to rebuild lives with dignity and hope. (PTV)
