P487-M cash shelter assistance given to Odette victims —DHSUD

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) said Thursday that the government has distributed P487 million in cash shelter assistance to victims of typhoon Odette that affected over four million people a week before Christmas day last year.

"The NHA (National Housing Authority) has distributed P487 million in cash assistance to 97,500 families affected by typhoon Odette," DHSUD chief Eduardo del Rosario said during the Laging Handa briefing.

"This is in accordance with the order made by President Rodrigo Duterte," he added.

Del Rosario said Typhoon Odette totally or partially damaged 597,779 homes in Regions 4B, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Caraga, and the Bangsamoro region.

Aside from cash assistance, Del Rosario said around 19,000 shelter-grade tarpaulin sheets have been sent to Cebu, Southern Leyte, Caraga region with the help of the United States Aid for International Development and International Organization for Migration, and the Philippine Coast Guard.

In addition, 250 modular tents, 1,310 solar lamps as well as 700 shelter repair kits that include GI sheets, nails, coco lumber and other carpentry tools were also distributed to Odette victims.

Another 8,000 shelter kits for Southern Leyte, Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands are also expected to be distributed in the coming days according to del Rosario. —LBG, GMA News