THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) is seeking a higher budget to bankroll the Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (ISDAP) in view of the expansion of the coverage and the relaxed rules of the program. Randy Escolango, DHSUD undersecretary for Disaster Response and for Administrative and Finance Services , told a television program yesterday the agency has asked for a P500-million budget for 2025, but the allotted amount under the National Expenditure Program is only P200 million, same as this year.
“We hope to haggle with Congress for (additional) funds because P200 million is not sufficient,” said Escolango.
He said as of the first half, the ISDAP has disbursed 4.4 percent or P8.8 million of its budget. The program expects to disburse a greater amount in the second half when most of the typhoons are expected to hit. Escolango said for Typhoon Carina alone, ISDAP has pending claims of P130 million. Recent fire incidents in Cavite have claims amounting to P20 million. He said the new guidelines of ISDAP issued on July 22, 2024 expands the coverage to include partially-damaged homes eligible for a P15,000- unconditional cash assistance per head of household. Totally damaged homes are given P30,000 assistance.
