DSWD: Cash aid distribution for repair of Paeng-hit houses may start Monday

The provision of cash assistance for those whose houses were damaged due to Severe Tropical Storm Paeng may begin on October 31 or November 1, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Erwin Tulfo said Sunday.

In a press briefing, Tulfo said that the funds will be coming from the agency’s assistance to individuals in crisis situations (AICS) program.

“‘Yung hinihintay niyo na assistance for individuals in crisis, pera po para sa pagpapa-repair at pagpapaayos ng inyong mga bahay, ‘yung mga slightly damaged, bibigay po namin ‘yan siguro bukas po ang start o sa isang bukas,” he said.

(The assistance for individuals in crisis or the money for the repair and maintenance of your damaged houses will be given maybe starting tomorrow or the day after.)

“Unahin lang po namin ‘yung feeding po sa mga kababayan natin na hindi pa po kumakain,” he added.

(We will just prioritize feeding our compatriots who haven't eaten yet.)

At least 714 houses were damaged due to Paeng, based on the situational report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Sunday, of which 555 were partially damaged and 159 were totally damaged.

NDRRMC chair Jose Faustino Jr. said that among the directives of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to DSWD was the distribution of the AICS “when the situation normalizes.” — BM, GMA News