The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development in Davao Region (DSHUD-11) has provided PHP3.2 million in emergency shelter support (ESS) to 322 families affected by disasters last year.

The ESS is a one-time unconditional financial assistance for households whose homes were damaged by calamities.

During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum Tuesday, DSHUD-11 Director Roberto Mauro Miguel Palma Gil said the aid distributed this year went to families whose homes were damaged by earthquakes, severe weather and fires in 2023.

‘Each beneficiary received PHP10,000 in financial aid, aimed at offering immediate relief during the emergency phase,’ Palma Gil explained.

Initially, the program provided PHP15,000 only to households with totally damaged homes.

Through Memorandum Circular No. 2024-007 issued in July this year, the aid increased to PHP30,000 for homes that were totally destroyed and PHP10,000 for partially damaged homes.

Local government units (LGUs) are required to submit essential documen
ts, including a disaster report, master list of beneficiaries and certificate of eligibility, to access the shelter aid.

‘These documents are vital in ensuring the program reaches its intended beneficiaries and that the distribution process is transparent and well-documented,’ Palma Gil said.

Luisita May Monje, DSHUD-11 Public Housing and Settlements Division Officer-in-Charge, said they are already preparing the list of eligible beneficiaries for 2024.

‘As long as the LGUs comply with the documentary requirements, we will endorse their applications to the central office,’ Monje added.

For 2024, the national government allocated PHP190 million for the ESS program across the country.

Source: Philippines News Agency