Cagayan gov’t to release P20M for Lawin-damaged homes

CAGAYAN, Philippines – The provincial government of Cagayan will release P20 million to fund the rehabilitation of houses destroyed during the onslaught of super typhoon Lawin (Haima), the provincial information office said on Thursday, November 3.

After meeting with his department heads, Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba said priority will be given to the 11 hardest-hit areas in the province: Peñablanca, Tuguegarao City, Enrile, Solana, Iguig, Amulung, Tuao, Baggao, Alcala, Piat, and Sto Niño. (READ: Lawin ‘possibly damaged 100% of homes’ in Tuguegarao City)

The latest data show that more than 25,000 houses were totally damaged while 93,834 were partially damaged by Lawin in the province, where signal number 5 was raised, the highest tropical cyclone warning signal. (READ: 4 dead, 36,000 affected by Lawin in Cagayan)

The 11 areas, according to Mamba, will receive galvanized iron (GI) sheets and carpentry materials to help rebuild homes.

Most houses that were totally damaged by Lawin in Cagayan have yet to be rebuilt, forcing residents like Heinrich Unite, a student, to seek temporary shelter. His classes resumed on Wednesday, November 2. 

Mamba said he is also planning a bayanihan (community cooperation) program to speed up the recovery of the victims.

He said the provincial government will release P10,000 for each purok (sub-village) and to every barangay (village) to buy carpentry materials such as hammers, nails, jigsaws, and shovels that can be used to help affected families.

Mamba said 15,500 GI sheets were distributed to affected areas starting Wednesday. – Rappler.com