P239-M in housing aid for Yolanda Victims released

Via Philippine Information Agency. MANILA, Dec. 11 — Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad has released P238.6 million to the National Housing Authority (NHA) to support the Housing Materials Assistance (HOMA) to victims of Typhoon Yolanda under the agency’s Emergency Housing Assistance for Calamity Victims Program (EHACVP).

The release—sourced from Budgetary Support to Government Corporations under the 2013 National Budget—is part of a larger P350-million rollout for the EHACVP, a nationwide program designed to respond to the permanent housing needs of low- and marginal-income families and informal settlers affected by calamities, including typhoons, landslides, earthquakes, and fires, DBM said in a statement.

Under the program, beneficiaries will be relocated to permanent dwellings in safe areas.

NHA implements the EHACVP with other LGUs in need of housing assistance for their affected communities. Through the HOMA component of the program, the NHA will provide housing materials assistance of P5,000 for every family whose home was partially damaged by calamities, but who will not require resettlement.

“Rehabilitation activities for Yolanda-hit communities are in full swing, as the Aquino administration continues to coordinate with aid groups, civil society, and affected LGUs in restoring normalcy in all typhoon-stricken areas. We’re facilitating the prompt release of funds that will aid our recovery efforts, especially with respect to providing secure shelter to low-income families and informal settlers who cannot otherwise afford rebuilding their own homes,” Abad said.

The DBM also announced that the rest of the P350-million release—amounting to P111.4 million—will also be used to help households affected by previous calamities, including typhoons Vinta, Santi, Laguyo, Yolanda, Quinta, and Pablo, as well as other disasters, such as fires and earthquakes.

However, HOMA beneficiary-families affected by Typhoon Santi will receive only P2,000 worth of aid for roof repairs, as noted by NHA.
“The Aquino administration is prepared to complete the arduous but necessary work of rebuilding all communities affected by disasters and calamities. Besides ensuring secure housing for families who now have to recompose their lives in the wake of these tragedies, we’re also poised to bring immediate aid and recovery assistance in the form of key social services, including the resumption of health and education services, as well as the provision of other public services that calamities like Yolanda temporarily cut off,” Abad said.(dbm.gov.ph)
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