To ensure assistance for families affected by severe Tropical Storm Julian, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has activated its shelter clusters in Luzon.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar on Monday instructed the issuance of a memorandum to Regional Offices in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, and Cordillera Administrative Region, ordering the activation of their shelter clusters.

“Dapat lagi tayong pro-active para maibigay natin ang tulong kung kailan ito kailangan ng ating mga kababayan (We should always be pro-active in giving assistance at the time our fellowmen need it,” he said, as quoted in a DHSUD news release Tuesday.

Concerned regional directors were instructed to monitor their jurisdictions and to facilitate emergency response and humanitarian assistance under the memorandum.

They were also directed to submit daily situational reports to ensure timely and appropriate actions.

The move was prompted by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s Memorandum 244, s. 2024, which calls for activation and/or placing on standby of response clusters due to Julian.

The DHSUD has already approved over PHP30 million in assistance for victims of typhoon Carina and fire incidents in Bacoor City, Cavite, and other parts of the country.

Some victims have already received cash assistance from the DHSUD’s Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP).

The program provides cash assistance amounting to PHP30,000 for those with totally damaged houses due to calamities, man-made or natural, and PHP10,000 for those with partially damaged houses. (Philippine News Agency)