Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Eduardo del Rosario has convened the National Shelter Cluster for the government’s continuing response to typhoon “Odette” to synchronize all shelter assistance for the victims.
“What is important now is for us to provide immediate and continuous assistance to those whose houses were totally destroyed,” the housing czar said.
Latest reports from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council showed that a total of 1,360,447 houses were either partially (991,971) or totally (368,476) damaged by “Odette” that wreaked havoc in Regions 4B, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Caraga, and BARMM.
Del Rosario stressed the need for the cluster member agencies to finalize their budgetary requirements and seek approval from the Office of the President so that funds could be tapped soonest.
The DHSUD through the NHA has already distributed P487.5 million to 97,500 affected families with each receiving P5,000 from Regions 4B, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 13 under its special emergency housing assistance program.
Re-electionist Senator Richard J. Gordon today called on Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to send more trainers who can volunteer for works in rebuilding damaged houses and buildings in areas hit by the typhoon.
Gordon, who chairs the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), said Odette-hit communities are in dire need of technical assistance, especially in the areas of electrical installation, masonry, carpentry, among others.
As part of the PRC’s initiative, it gave out two tarpaulins and a shelter toolkit to 315 families in Ubay, Bohol, where hundreds of homes were completely wiped out by the typhoon.
The PRC also provided galvanized iron sheets and other building materials to help affected residents whose houses were damaged or destroyed to live under a decent roof. Macon Ramos-Araneta and Alena S. Flores
Gordon assured that help had just begun and will continue to be given until the most vulnerable residents afflicted by disaster are able to stand on their own feet again.
The PRC Chapters in Cebu and Bohol dished out over 10,000 hot meals, gave psychosocial support to about 1,300 individuals, distributed about 550,000 liters of potable water, and cleared out 313 cubic meters of debris in major thoroughfares.
The Visayan Electric Company, Inc. (VECO) meanwhile said it is investigating reports of linemen or contractors extorting money in exchange for prioritization of the re-electrification of their homes or establishments.
VECO, in a statement Wednesday said it is taking this concern seriously and people who will be proven to have done such illegal actions will be penalized accordingly.
VECO said it is not liable for any damage or loss arising out of or in connection with the unauthorized re-energization arrangement entered into by customers.
The company said it does not warrant the quality of the wirings, equipment, or materials used in these unauthorized electricity connections.
The utility company said illegal connections are unsafe as they expose the public to fire and electrocution hazards and are against Republic Act 7832 or the Anti-Pilferage of Electricity and Theft of Electric Transmission Lines/Materials Act of 1994.
VECO said its accredited contractors, and industry partners working within its franchise area do not require nor accept any re-electrification or prioritization fees.
Restoration of electricity is free of charge. Its teams on the ground are working 24 hours a day to fast-track power restoration efforts in Cebu.
VECO said a total of 269,747 customers now energized as of noon Wednesday, Jan. 12, driving power demand within the franchise area to 374 MW or approximately 75% of the pre-Odette level.
VECO also augmented its teams working on the field, with an additional 33 linemen and bucket trucks expected to help in restoration activities.