DHSUD to deploy modular shelters for Davao Oriental, Cebu quake victims

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development on Sunday said it is ready to deploy modular shelter units to Davao Oriental to temporarily house residents displaced by the twin offshore earthquakes that rocked the province.

In a statement, DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said he mobilized a team from the DHSUD Central Office and Regional Office 11 to determine the exact assistance needed by affected local government units in Davao Oriental.

Aliling said the deployment of the modular shelters is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for all government agencies to aid the victims of the twin earthquakes.

The modular shelters will serve as temporary shelters for families displaced by the earthquakes and will be set up inside Bayanihan Villages to be identified by LGUs.

“Ang pagtatayo po ng Bayanihan Villages ay iniutos ng Pangulong Marcos Jr. para agarang matulungan ang ating mga kababayang na-displace dahil sa lindol,” Aliling said.

(The construction of Bayanihan Villages was ordered by President Marcos Jr. to immediately assist our countrymen who were displaced as a result of the earthquake.)

“Buong pwersa ng pamahalaan ay inatasan ng Pangulong Marcos Jr. upang ipaabot ang lahat ng pwedeng tulong sa mga Davaenong apektado ng lindol,” he added.

(The whole government was instructed by President Marcos Jr. to extend all possible assistance to Davaoenos affected by the earthquake.)

The DHSUD is also working closely with the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of Information and Communication Technology, and other government agencies and non-government organizations to ensure that the victims receive proper assistance.

“Ang hangad ng Pangulong Marcos Jr. ay mabilis na pagbangon ng ating mga kababayan mula sa kalamidad. Kaya naman nagba-bayanihan ang lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno kasama na rin ang pribadong sektor,” Aliling said.

(President Marcos Jr. wants to help our countrymen to recover quickly from this calamity. That is why all government agencies are working together with the private sector.)

Last week, the DHSUD also began establishing Bayanihan Villages in Bogo City and the towns of Daanbantayan, San Remigio, and Medellin that were hard-hit by a magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu on Sept. 30.

As of Sunday, several modular shelter units were already installed in an area identified by the LGU for the Bayanihan Village in San Remigio.

“We hope that these MSUs will somehow ease the burden of the quake victims. Kahit papaano ay komportable at ligtas sila dito,” Aliling said.

(We hope that these MSUs will somehow ease the burden of the quake victims. They will be comfortable and safe here.)

He said DHSUD Undersecretaries Ed Robles and Ramon Quintin Allado and DHSUD Assistant Secretary Hernando Caraig Jr. flew to Cebu to determine what immediate response is needed from the government agency.

“Based on their assessment, ang agarang tulong na kailangan ng ating mga kababayan ay ligtas at maayos na masisilungan. Kaya mabilis natin dineploy ang mga MSUs,” Aliling added.

(Based on their assessment, our countrymen there need safe and decent shelter as immediate assistance. That’s why we immediately deployed the MSUs.)

He also ordered the Pag IBIG Fund, the Social Housing Finance Corporation, National Housing Authority and the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation to suspend housing amortization in Cebu and in Bicol Region that was battered by typhoons “Nando” and “Opong.” — JMA, GMA Integrated News