The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has deployed modular shelter units (MSUs) to assist victims of the recent earthquake in Cebu, particularly in the province’s hardest-hit towns.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said the initiative complies with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive for a whole-of-nation response to help families affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu on 30 September. The shelters will serve as temporary housing for displaced residents and those still afraid to return home due to continuing aftershocks.

The MSUs were allocated for the towns of Daanbantayan, San Remigio, and Medellin, which suffered the most damage from the powerful tremor. The units are being installed in designated “Bayanihan Villages,” ordered established by President Marcos to provide immediate and safe shelter for affected families.

As of Sunday, several MSUs had already been set up in the LGU-identified area in San Remigio, while deployment to other sites continues in coordination with local officials.

“Alinsunod po sa direktiba ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. ay agarang nagpadala ang DHSUD ng mga MSUs para sa mga biktima ng lindol na nawalan ng tahanan o kaya naman ay patuloy na nangangambang bumalik sa kani-kanilang tirahan,” Aliling said.

“We hope that these MSUs will somehow ease the burden of the quake victims. Kahit papaano ay komportable at ligtas sila dito,” he added.

Days after the earthquake, Secretary Aliling sent Undersecretaries Ed Robles and Ramon Quintin Allado and Assistant Secretary Hernando Caraig Jr. to Cebu to assess the situation and determine the immediate needs of residents.

“Based on their assessment, ang agarang tulong na kailangan ng ating mga kababayan ay ligtas at maayos na masisilungan. Kaya mabilis natin dineploy ang mga MSUs,” Aliling said.

“Asahan po ninyo na patuloy na ang DHSUD ay aktibong lalahok sa whole-of-nation response na iniutos ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. upang mabilis na makabangon ang ating mga kababayan mula sa epekto ng lindol,” he added.

In addition to the deployment of shelters, Aliling also ordered the Pag-IBIG Fund, Social Housing Finance Corporation, National Housing Authority, and National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation to suspend housing amortization for affected residents in Cebu and the Bicol Region, which was recently battered by Typhoons Nando and Opong.