Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 1 (DSWD FO 1) continuously conducts assessment to partially- and totally-damaged houses after the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong. As of 25 September 2018, 16,808 partially- and 800 totally-damaged houses were reported throughout the region.

SWO II Greta Mae Lazo who was part of the team that conducted rapid damage assessment and needs analysis (RDANA) in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte said that local government units (LGUs) should finalize the list of damaged houses to accelerate the provision of cash assistance.

Thus, the Field Office is currently prioritizing the assessment of damaged houses to immediately rebuild the houses of the typhoon victims. Damaged houses that were assessed will be included under the Department’s Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) program wherein households with partially-damaged houses receive PhP10,000.00 while those with totally-damaged houses are granted PhP30,000.00 cash assistance. Ms. Lazo also assured their intensified monitoring on the use of ESA to ensure proper fund utilization.

Meanwhile, LGU San Juan in La Union already submitted a project proposal for ESA augmentation in the municipality. They will be granting PhP5,000.00 to 28 households with totally-damaged houses while 483 individuals with partially-damaged houses will be receiving PhP2,000.00. (by: Darwin T. Chan, Social Marketing Unit)