Marcos inspects 'modular shelters' set up for Cebu quake victims
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. revisited the victims of the deadly earthquake that struck Cebu on Friday, October 17, this time inspecting the “modular housing units” that were set up for them.
Marcos initially ordered the creation of a “tent city” for the victims of the quakes due to the instability of Cebu structures after the earthquake.
The tent city, now called the "Bayanihan Village," is being managed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). A total of 250 families are currently residing in the village.
“I'm happy to report na mayroon ng – talaga lahat, everybody, lahat ng nasiraan ng bahay ay mayroon ng tinitirahan kahit na tent lang muna,” Marcos told reporters in Northern Cebu. (I’m happy to report that everyone, I mean all, everybody whose house was destroyed, they now have somewhere to live.)
Marcos said the tent city that was initially ordered has been replaced by better, more steady housing.
The housing in question are "modular," meaning that they were built somewhere else and brought to the location.
Aside from the modular houses, a mobile bath station was also set up, as well as a drinking water station at the village.
Assisting with aid distribution was the Philippine Red Cross, with chair and former senator Dick Gordon joining Marcos for the inspection, as well as Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian.
Aid, psychosocial services
The DSWD said it has also been providing children with psychosocial services as well.
The president remarked that he was happy to see children regaining their energy.
“Malaking bagay ‘yan para sa mental health ng ating mga kabataan,” Marcos said. (It is a big thing for the mental health of the youth.)
Marcos said the the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development will also provide construction materials to the families so that they could rebuild their homes.
In terms of cash aid, the DSWD said that it gave 34 families with totally damaged houses an emergency cash transfer of P10,125, while 126 families with partially damaged houses will get P5,250 each.
The magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Cebu killed 79 people, injuring 559 people. Authorities estimated that a total of 747,979 people were affected by the earthquake.
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