1,870 'Lawin' victims receive shelter assistance

CLOSE to P12.715 million were released by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Cordillera Administrative Region to 1,870 households whose houses have been damaged during the onslaught of Typhoon Lawin in 2016.

The shelter assistance was released through cash cards in partnership with the Landbank of the Philippines Baguio Branch.

“Unlike the first release which is in the form of cash, the remaining assistance to the victims is now being provided through cash cards which the victims can use in case that they will again need the assistance of the Department,” regional director Janet Armas said.

In 2016, Typhoon Lawin victims whose houses were damaged were given Emergency Shelter Cash Assistance (ESA) amounting to P5,000 as an immediate and initial response to help rebuild their homes.

Subsequently, a validation was conducted to ensure veracity of documents submitted to the department. Victims who are able to comply with the requirements of the department have been considered eligible for the second tranche of assistance amounting to P5,000 for partially damaged houses, and P 25,000 for totally damaged houses.

In July 2017, the victims from the municipalities of Bokod, Kabayan, and Tuba in Benguet, and Baguio City were the first to receive their cash cards.

As of August 23, 856 households in Benguet and Baguio City were able to receive the assistance amounting to P5,780,000.

Meanwhile, 202 households in Kalinga Province have received the assistance amounting to P1,370,000. Around P5,565,000 assistance was also distributed to 812 victims in Abra Province.

The agency is expected to provide the ESA amounting to P268,635,000 to 45,007 households in the region.

“The amount we have released is just a small portion of our target which means that most of our beneficiaries are still waiting for our assistance. And we, in the department, are exhausting all our efforts to release the remaining assistance within August to September,” disaster response management focal person Mary Ann Buclao said.

To further facilitate the release, distribution of ESA cash cards is being done in the municipal level.

Meanwhile, beneficiaries who were not able to claim the cash cards during the on-site distribution can claim their cash cards at Baguio City Landbank Servicing Branch.

Beneficiaries are required to bring one 2x2 ID photo, a valid identification (ID) card with photo, photocopy of the valid ID and/or Barangay Certificate signed by the Barangay Captain in absence of a valid ID.

The DSWD-Cordillera will be coordinating with the respective Local Social Welfare and Development Offices on the specific schedule of the release of assistance. (PR)

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