DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Jan. 5 (PIA) -- Negros Oriental received a P27.5 million aid from the National Housing Authority (NHA) as a form of assistance for 5,500 families affected by Typhoon Odette.
The funding aid aims to help residents rebuild their houses that Typhoon Odette destroyed on Dec. 17, 2021.
Under the Special EHAP (Special Emergency Housing Assistance Program), NHA shall provide P5,000 for each beneficiary-family to augment in rebuilding their houses, regardless of the extent of damage sustained, according to a press statement from NHA-7.
As of Jan. 6, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported that totally damaged houses in the province reached 17,756 while partially destroyed were 69,333 houses.
The NHA cash aid will be distributed to each victim-family as an initial 'pantawid tulong' to help repair their houses.
Governor Roel Degamo expressed his thanks to NHA officials especially to Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte who pledged the P27.5M initial assistance when the President, together with Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and other government officials, visited the typhoon-stricken areas on Dec. 29, 2021 in Negros Oriental.
The governor, in his annual press conference, said the president committed to urgently provide for the needs of typhoon-hit areas and their residents.
Degamo also acknowledged various individuals and public and private organizations who extended their help through relief efforts for the typhoon victims in the province.
He cited Sen. Migz Zubiri for the 200 sacks of rice and 200 pop-up tents for temporary shelter; National Grid Corporation of the Philippines for 500 packs of food items; and the contractor’s group for lending their machineries and heavy equipment for the clearing operations along passageways and canals in areas badly hit by the typhoon.
The provincial government has continued distributing food packs and non-food items in the first two weeks to the typhoon victims in Tanjay City, Bais City, Manjuyod, Bindoy, Ayungon, Basay, Bayawan City, Sta. Catalina, Jimalalud, La Libertad, Guihulngan City, Vallehermoso, and Canlaon City. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)
