DHSUD on high alert as 'Crising' sweeps across Phl

With Tropical Depression “Crising” beginning to affect parts of the country, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has stepped up its disaster response operations by placing its regional offices on heightened alert.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling has ordered field offices to ensure swift coordination and readiness in case emergency shelter support is required. Acting on this directive, Undersecretary for Disaster Response Henry Yap on Friday instructed all Regional Directors, Assistant Regional Directors, and Officers-in-Charge to activate their disaster monitoring and assistance units.

“In compliance with the President's directive and given the current weather situation, all RDs, ARDs, and OICs are advised to activate your monitoring and assistance units, convene and or call upon the shelter cluster and its members,” Undersecretary Yap said.

He also emphasized the need to “closely monitor the situation in your respective areas of jurisdiction and to submit daily reports… the same shall include information of affected areas, estimates of affected persons, action taken by your office, requested action from central, if any."

The instruction follows Malacañang’s call on Thursday for concerned agencies to remain vigilant and coordinate efforts as the storm system continues to develop. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) raised its alert status to blue as of 11 AM Wednesday to ensure an organized national response.

As the lead agency of the government’s shelter cluster under NDRRMC Memorandum No. 5, Series of 2022, DHSUD is responsible for providing temporary and transitional shelter support to disaster-stricken families.

To reinforce these efforts, the department continues to roll out the Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP), which provides unconditional cash grants of P30,000 for families with totally damaged homes and P10,000 for those with partially damaged residences.

In addition, DHSUD has been distributing home materials and essentials (HOMEs) to typhoon victims as part of its immediate post-disaster aid package.