AT LEAST P10 million worth of financial assistance intended for construction materials were turned over by the National Housing Authority for the affected families of the Itogon landslide in Barangay Ucab.
NHA general manager Marcelino Escalada Jr. donated the cash assistance to the local government represented by Mayor Victorio Palangdan.
“This is an immediate and quick response in part of NHA, the P10-million will go a long way especially those really affected by the landslide. Pwede siyang magamit in any construction materials, aggregates, cement, and all other materials that are available to construction provided of course when we rehabilitate housing hindi na doon sa danger zone it has to be somewhere buildable upon the determination of the CLUP (Comprehensive Land Use Plan) of the local government of Itogon,” Escalada adds.
Escalada said the P10 million is an immediate response of NHA it can mean needed response for them to repair there destroyed houses. But in terms of resettlement sites, and new housing sites that will be upon the determination of the LGU.
With majority of areas declared vulnerable to disaster, high risk areas are not advised to be subjected for the repair as it will be useless for it will be another disaster, says Escalada.
“Medium and low risk areas probably upon the determination of mayor doon natin pwede i-relocate, temporarily provide the intervention of the repairs,” he added.
“If you decide to go outside Itogon, then that can be another benefit, not necessary that I live here I should have my construction here. The danger, calamities and safer grounds do not anymore restrict itself from jurisdiction and boundaries. So long as you are safe in other city or municipality.”
Mayor Palangdan added the findings of Mines Geosciences Bureau and the recommendation of the Office of the Civil Defense that are considered unlivable, the residents of that area will be the beneficiaries of the cash assistance.
A conduct of profiling of the beneficiaries with the different department in the LGU and line agencies and meeting to convene with residents for the proper distribution of the construction materials.
Possible beneficiaries from the affected areas cited in Sitio 070, Colombia, Fortress in Barangay Ucab and Sitio Luneta, Dampingan, Simut-simut in Barangay Loacan.
Prior to the Benguet town receiving the cash assistance, NHA have tasked the LGU to liquidate cash assistance to be reported to the agency.
In Itogon, number of damage houses include a total of 808 for both partially and totally damaged houses.