The National Housing Authority (NHA) on Monday distributed over PHP3 million in financial assistance to victims of Super Typhoon Egay in Ilocos Norte.

Jefferson Ganado, regional manager of the NHA, said some 309 recipients each received either PHP20,000 (for totally damaged houses) or PHP10,000 (partially damaged houses) at the San Nicolas Mini Cultural Center in San Nicolas town.

The distribution activity is part of the Special Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP) intended for the families most affected by Egay in July.

The NHA said the release of the funding was delayed as they had to conduct on-site field validation of the damaged houses and request the beneficiaries, through their local government units, for submit photos of actual damage to their properties.

Egay brought widespread devastation during its three-day onslaught in Northern Luzon on July 26 to 28, bringing billions of pesos worth of damage to agriculture, infrastructure and housing.

During the ceremonial distribution, Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc said that aside from the housing assistance given by the NHA, all Ilocos Norte residents with damaged houses will also receive construction materials courtesy of the provincial government.

The Ilocos Norte government has so far distributed almost 3,700 galvanized iron (GI) sheets.

During the Sept. 11 Marcos Day celebration, some 877 families with totally and partially damaged houses likewise received emergency housing assistance. (PNA)