The National Housing Authority (NHA) has turned over PHP27.5 million to the provincial government of Negros Oriental as initial assistance for people who lost their homes during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette on Dec. 16, 2021.

Bimbo Miraflor, Capitol public information officer, on Tuesday said Governor Roel Degamo received the check from Claire Villanueva, NHA district manager for Negros Oriental and Siquijor, during a simple turnover ceremony at the Macias Sports Center here.

The recipients of the NHA assistance are “Odette” victims who were identified by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO).

“Each beneficiary will receive PHP5,000 as cash assistance initially as ‘pantawid tulong’ or to tide them over,” Miraflor said.

Degamo thanked the NHA for the assistance that will be distributed to some 5,500 beneficiaries.

A report from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) showed that as of Monday, partially damaged houses totaled 55,992 while totally destroyed houses were pegged at 14,177.

Miraflor, who heads Task Force Odette, said the provincial government is still working on where to source funds to assist the typhoon victims in rebuilding their homes.

This would have been covered by the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) fund of the provincial government, but “we are still operating on a reenacted budget today as the Sangguniang Panlalawigan still has to approve the proposed budget for 2022”, he said.

Meanwhile, the provincial government continues to distribute food packs to the typhoon victims in Basay, Bayawan City, Sta. Catalina, Jimalalud, La Libertad, Guihulngan City, Vallehermoso and Canlaon City.

After the onslaught of “Odette”, it also sent food packs through the PSWDO to the displaced residents in Tanjay City, Bais City, Manjuyod, Bindoy, Ayungon, and Tayasan.

The governor thanked the various government and private sectors for pitching in and helping in the relief efforts for the typhoon victims.

In his year-end report last December 30, Degamo said “we shall wait for the final commitment of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for the national government’s assistance in our rehabilitation efforts”.

The President visited the typhoon-stricken Bais City in Negros Oriental the day before. (PNA)