DHSUD activates shelter cluster teams in typhoon-hit areas 

As a proactive measure, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) yesterday activated its Regional Shelter Cluster Teams (RSCTs) in areas affected by Tropical Storm “Paeng.”

DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar ordered regional directors and officers-in-charge in areas along the path of “Paeng” to activate their respective RSCTs.

At the same time, the housing czar instructed all undersecretaries and assistant secretaries to closely monitor the situation in their assigned areas.

“We must be proactive, ready at all times to provide assistance especially during these typhoons when lives are in peril,” Secretary Acuzar said

“Let’s ensure that all hands are on deck with regards to our shelter clusters,” he added.

In a memorandum, Assistant Secretary Daryll Bryan Villanueva, DHSUD Assistant Secretary for Regional Operations, called on the heads of 11 DHSUD Regional Offices (ROs) to be on their toes for possible emergency response

The alerted ROs are the National Capital Region, Negros Island Region, the Cordillera Administrative Region, Regions 1, 2, 3, 4B (MIMAROPA) 6, 8, 10 and 13.

“All concerned regional shelter cluster teams…are hereby activated or placed on stand-by effective 29 October 2022 at 8:00 AM to monitor and facilitate  emergency response and humanitarian assistance in response to the effects of ‘Paeng,’” Assistant Secretary Villanueva stated.

State weather bureau PAGASA on Saturday raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 over the National Capital Region and eight other areas as Severe Tropical Storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) crossed the Bondoc Peninsula in southern Quezon.

PAGASA advised that there may be widespread disruption of electrical power and communication services in areas under TCWS No. 3. High-risk structures, including residential, may also suffer heavy damage.