DHSUD plans to build 930 homes for quake-affected residents in Abra

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Wednesday said it is eyeing to build 930 housing units for quake-affected residents in Abra municipalities.

In a statement, the DHSUD said it is planning three resettlement sites for affected residents in the municipalities of Tayum, Bucay, and Peñarrubia in Abra.

The department said that the magnitude 7.0 quake that hit the region on July 27 completely destroyed at least 264 houses and damaged 19,165 others in the municipalities of Tayum, Bangued, Bucay, Pidigan, La Paz, and San Quintin.

“I recognize our funding limitations in the government. But we cannot stop there. We need to explore other means, for as long as it is legally allowed, to provide for the housing needs of our fellow Filipinos,” DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said.

Acuzar said the department is keen on forging partnerships with the private sector to fast-track land development and construction of resettlement sites, particularly in calamity-stricken areas.

The DHSUD secretary said they has initiated talks with the biggest developers to explore potential development projects for affected families whose houses were either destroyed or damaged following the recent quake.

“We have been providing emergency shelter assistance since the earthquake happened in the form of temporary shelter materials and now with financial assistance through the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP),” he said.

“We now need a proactive response through a more permanent solution to the damages this calamity has caused. Building shelters should now become a priority. We need help from our private partners for us do that,” he added.

Meanwhile, the damage to infrastructure is now over P1.8 billion, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.

The reported death toll remained at 11, while the number of injured individuals increased to 574 from 567 on Saturday.

A total of 29 cities and municipalities also declared a state of calamity due to the recent earthquake. — Richa Noriega/BM, GMA News