20,000 typhoon victims in Cebu get help from NHA

CEBU, Philippines - The National Housing Authority (NHA) is giving P5,000 worth of housing materials to 20,000 qualified beneficiaries in northern Cebu.

During the shelter cluster meeting at the Capitol yesterday, NHA supervising engineer Constancio Antiniero said the beneficiaries are located in Bogo City, Medellin, Daanbantayan and San Remigio.

Representatives from Bantayan Island, which has three municipalities appealed to be included in the aid but Antiniero said he would need a report of affected families for relocation that he can forward to Manila for consideration of additional funding.

Bantayan Island was also affected badly by super typhoon Yolanda.

A report of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) shows that Bogo City has the most number of damaged houses with 18,297 followed by Daanbantayan with 17,396; Bantayan town with 10,261; Tuburan with 6,944; and Santa Fe with 6,401.

Antiniero said the assistance is only for repair. It will be coursed through the local government units concerned.

Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino said during the meeting that the provincial government has shifted to the rebuilding phase.

Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) 7 Director Rosanna Urdaneta explained that the assistance to be extended by the NHA is just initial. She said the national government is working on the remaining budget for this year until December 31, 2013 while next year is another budget.

“It doesn’t mean mag stop na kami doon,” Urdaneta said.

Tolentino added that the meeting was the first among the series to assess the situation of the damages of houses and other infrastructures brought by typhoon Yolanda. —/JMO (FREEMAN)