Some 155 families from Eastern Visayas whose houses were damaged by disasters in 2024 received PHP2.44 million worth of cash aid under the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development’s (DHSUD) Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP).

Of the total, about 104 of the families are from Leyte province, 41 from Northern Samar, eight from Samar, and two from Eastern Samar, said Michael Victor Tezon, DHSUD Eastern Visayas regional director.

Among the beneficiaries are those from Ormoc City, Tacloban City, Carigara, and Capoocan in Leyte affected by Typhoon Aghon (international name Ewiniar) in May last year and fire incidents.

Other recipients are from Biri, Northern Samar, who suffered the wrath of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami), which hit parts of the country in October 2024.

Under IDSAP, qualified beneficiaries receive PHP30,000 for totally damaged houses and PHP10,000 for partially damaged houses.

“In the past, we only provided PHP10,000 for totally damaged houses. In 2024, we have increased the maximum assistance to PHP30,000 and included partially damaged houses. We ensure a transparent selection process, preventing any special treatment for certain municipalities,” Tezon said.

DHSUD is supposed to provide housing materials to calamity victims, but in the case of Eastern Visayas, the agency only provides cash with the absence of an agency-owned storage area.

To qualify for assistance, homeowners must submit a request letter from the local government unit, a disaster or situational report, a state of calamity declaration (if applicable), and verification documents, including a master list of beneficiaries and a certificate of eligibility. (PNA)