Pag-IBIG to grant calamity loan to affected members in Mindoro

Press Release by
OVP / PNS
December 13, 2005

MANILA, Philippines  –  Processing centers and express lane would soon be put up at the Calapan City Hall by Pag-IBIG to assist members who were victimized by the collapse of two dikes brought about by torrential rains.  Affected Pag-IBIG members may avail of a calamity/multi purpose loan of up to 80% of their total contributions.

This was announced by Vice President Noli ‘Kabayan’ De Castro, also concurrent chairman of Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), when he visited the disaster-stricken areas in Oriental Mindoro recently as a follow through to the visit of President Arroyo to assess the prevailing situation in the province.

“Ang calamity/multipurpose loan na ito ay ang kagyat na tulong ng Pag-IBIG sa ating mga nasalantang kababayan sa Oriental Mindoro bilang tugon sa agaran nilang pangangailangan matapos na masalanta ng mga pagbahang dulot ng mga bumigay na dike.”

In his visit to his home province, Vice President De Castro saw for himself the extent of destruction brought about by the damaged dikes reportedly due to the swelling of the Bucayao and Mag-asawang tubig rivers in Calapan City.

In a briefing by Oriental Mindoro Governor Arnan Panaligan, Vice Governor Estela Aseron, Col. Villanueva of the 204th Brigade Command, Calapan City Mayor Carlos Brucal, Engr. Serafin Santos of the
Department of Public Works and Highways the Vice President learned that damage to infrastructure and properties to the province is estimated at P138Million. 

An aerial inspection conducted with Governor Panaligan, Col. Villanueva and Mayor Brucal prompted Vice President De Castro to conclude that priority action should be undertaken to repair the damaged dikes to prevent another flooding in the event of another monsoon-induced raining. Governor Panaligan committed to start rehabilitation as soon as the weather gets better and flooding subsides.

“Kailangan agad magsagawa ng nararapat na pagkukumpuni sa lalong madaling panahon upang maiwasang muling mangyari ang lubhang pagbaha.  Kahit hindi bagyo ang dumaan nitong makaraang mga araw, nanganganib pa rin ang ating mga kapwa Mindoreño sakaling muling magtagal ang pag-ulan.” 

Meanwhile, residents have begun to trek back to their homes after floodwaters subside. Support and assistance, however, continue to pour in from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Office of Civil Defense, Department of Health and the Philippine National Red Cross among others.