The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), together with its partner agencies — particularly the National Housing Authority (NHA) — has continued providing shelter assistance to families affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said the sustained relief effort is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for government agencies to extend all available assistance to earthquake victims following the 8 June disaster.

“President BBM’s directive is clear: we will not abandon our fellow Mindanaoans until they have fully recovered from the effects of the earthquake. DHSUD, together with our key shelter agencies and partner agencies, will continue delivering assistance to communities in Mindanao,” Secretary Aliling said.

Last 15 June, President Marcos Jr., along with Secretary Aliling and other Cabinet officials, visited some of the communities affected by the said earthquake in Sarangani. During the public briefing, the President assured local chief executives of the national government’s all-out support.

More than cash aid

Immediately afterward, the NHA began distributing cash assistance under its Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP).

At least 2,865 households with totally and partially destroyed houses in General Santos City, Glan and Malapatan, Sarangani province are expected to receive unconditional cash assistance from NHA.

Validation is also ongoing for EHAP beneficiaries in Davao Region affected by the powerful tremor. Distribution of cash assistance by NHA is expected in the coming week.

The DHSUD Regional Office 12, along with other partner-agencies, has also sustained the delivery of various shelter assistance, including cash aid and construction materials, to quake-stricken families.

In partnership with the United Nations-International Organization for Migration (UN-IOM) and Australian Aid, DHSUD-RO 12, under OIC-Director Benleo Jarangue, distributed a total of 797 shelter grade tarpaulins (SGTs) and 350 shelter repair kits (SRKs) to qualified beneficiaries since the massive quake struck.

The SGTs were distributed from June 11 to 20 across 11 local government units in the provinces of Sarangani, South Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat-- providing immediate temporary shelter to families whose homes were damaged by the earthquake.

Meanwhile, the distribution of SRKs and cash assistance is ongoing from 25 to 27 June in the municipalities of Glan and Malapatan, Sarangani. Each SRK contains essential construction materials like GI sheets, plywood, lumber and nails, and tools to help beneficiaries undertake initial repairs on their damaged homes, while the cash assistance supports additional repair needs.