At least P20,000 each were given to families in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur whose houses were totally destroyed by the magnitude-6.3 earthquake that hit Tulunan, North Cotabato last Oct. 16, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council disclosed Sunday.
NDRRMC Executive Director Ricardo Jalad personally went to Magsaysay the other day to hand out the initial aid by the government. Magsaysay is one of the most heavily affected areas in the Davao region by the earthquake.
“The financial aid was given to residents for them to reconstruct their houses which were totally destroyed by the earthquake,” said NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal.
Timbal did not mention how many families were given aid but NDRRMC data said 165 of 177 totally damaged houses in Davao del Sur were in Magsaysay.
“When it comes to the actual reconstruction of the affected areas, we will draw a recovery and rehabilitation plan. Once the damage assessment has been completed, part of the recommendations will be the programming for the reconstruction,” he said.
The assessment of the total damage caused by the temblor, which is seen to reach millions, is expected to be finished by the end of this week. (Martin Sadongdong)
