By Ma. Teresa Montemayor
MANILA – The Department of Human Settlements and Social Development (DHSUD) has strengthened its coordination with key shelter agencies (KSA) to better address the needs of families affected by Mt. Kanlaon’s unrest.
In a public advisory on Thursday, the DHSUD said it would integrate the efforts of National Task Force Kanlaon with key KSAs, particularly the National Housing Authority, to optimize available resources.
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Chairperson and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. assigned the DHSUD to oversee housing and resettlement needs of affected families.
In connection, the task force calibrated its priorities in handling disaster response, recovery, and rehabilitation measures for households in the Negros Island Region (NIR).
“Unoccupied NHA housing units originally intended for Typhoon Yolanda victims in the NIR could be repurposed for Kanlaon Volcano victims,” the DHSUD said.
It added that this solution was previously discussed with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
Marcos created the task force to reduce the impact of volcanic activities and hasten the recovery of affected communities.
Under Administrative Order 32 signed by Marcos, the Department of National Defense serves as the chair of the task force, while the Office of Civil Defense serves as the Secretariat to provide administrative, technical, and operational support.
Other members of the task force are the Departments of Science and Technology, Public Works, Social Welfare, Labor, Health, and Interior and Local Government. (PNA)
