BANGUED, Abra (PIA)--More than 400 families in Abra whose houses were totally damaged due to Super Typhoon Egay received financial aid from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

DSHUD-Cordillera Director Mary Amoroso explained that the Rental Subsidy and Financial Assistance Program aims to give immediate relief to families with houses that were totally damaged due to calamities.

“Ito ay kaiba sa programa ng DSWD at ng NHA kasi ito ay magbibigay ng rental subsidy. Bibigyan naming ng P10,000 one-time financial assistance per family at gagamitin dapat nila ito for rental pero hindi namin namo-monitor iyon because yung ibang beneficiaries are living with their relatives,” she shared.

Amoroso said that the province of Abra makes up bulk of the beneficiaries for the Rental Subsidy Financial Assistance with a total of 447 families or  68 percent of the 581 total beneficiaries in the Cordillera.

In the province, the capital town of Bangued recorded the most number of totally damaged houses due to Super Typhoon Egay with a total of 315 affected families.

“Actually baka madadagdagan pa ito kasi maraming reports ngayon sa Typhoon Goring although hindi naman masyadong malakas ang effect dito sa atin sa Cordillera,” Amoroso  said.

Beneficiaries were based on the DSWD DROMIC report which is validated in partnership with the local government units, Municipal Social Welfare Offices, and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Councils.

Michael Baroña who is a beneficiary from Sta. Rosa, Bangued said  that the finacial aid will help his family's housing needs. 

"Dakkel nga yaman mi ti daytoy nga naawat mi ta detoy ket dakkel nga banag ta bale na-washout diayay kadaklan ti balay mi," he said.

With more weather disturbances affecting the province, Amoroso advised Abrenians especially those whose houses were damaged due to the recent typhoons to look for safer relocation sites.

She also urged LGUs  and other stakeholders to prepare for a long-term program to develop affordable, decent, and safer housing in the province.

“Sapay kuma maiurnos tayo dejay land use plan tayo karo dagitoy local shelter plan tayo ken dejay residential land use tayo ken  tayo nga safe dagidiay pagpatakderan tayo ti balbalay tayo,” she said.

The DHSUD-Cordillera has been going around the region to hold payout activities under the Rental Subsidy and Financial Assistance to aid families and communities affected by calamities. (JDP/JJPM-PIA CAR, Abra)