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General Manager of the National Housing Authority, Marcelino Escalada Jr. File photo of INQUIRER / LYN RILLON
MANILA, Philippines – Since the Taal volcano eruption in January, the National Housing Authority (NHA) has yet to receive any budget for the relocation of displaced residents in the affected province.
At a Senate budget hearing Wednesday, NHA general manager Marcelino Escalada Jr. also revealed that no budget has been allocated for Taal’s relocation in the agency’s proposed 2021 budget.
“For 2020 and 2021, we have not received any allocation for Taal,” Escalada said when Sen. Nancy Binay asked how much had already been spent for Taal’s relocation.
“But as an option and strategy, your honor, we have opened our inventory for the Taal evacuees,” added the NHA chief.
Escalada noted that there are about 10,000 homes available in Batangas, Cavite and Laguna provinces that are being offered to evacuees.
And some 600 evacuees, he said, had already been relocated to Ibaan, Batangas, while the rest decided to stay in Batangas.
“Therefore, there are still no direct funds coming from DBM [Department of Budget and Management] that was for NHA for 2020 and even for 2021 ”, reiterated Escalada.
The Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Eduardo del Rosario, told the senators that 2,600 houses were totally damaged by the eruption, while 14,565 houses were partially damaged.
JPV
Inquirer calls for support for victims of Taal volcano eruption
Responding to requests for help, the Inquirer extends its assistance to families affected by the recent eruption of the Taal volcano.
Cash donations can be deposited in the Inquirer Foundation Corp. Banco De Oro (BDO) Checking Account No: 007960018860.
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