Vice President Jejomar C. Binay will fly to Davao and Compostela Valley on Thursday to inspect the damage and extend assistance to those affected by typhoon Pablo.

            Binay said his office will be distributing 5,000 bags of goods in Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur and Compostela Valley. The bags contain noodles, biscuits and canned goods.

            “We will have a meeting with the DILG and DSWD in order to discuss how we will handle the situation,” Binay said in a television interview.

            “Based on our experience during typhoon Sendong, we will have to coordinate all the government efforts, so that we can ensure fast and efficient service,” he added.

            Binay said for their part, the housing agencies will use all possible means to help ease the burdens of those affected by the natural calamity.

            He said the National Housing Authority will provide materials for the repair of damaged houses while the Home Development Mutual (Pag-IBIG) Fund will offer calamity loans and provide insurance to its members.

            “Pag-IBIG members who availed of housing loans for the construction or repair of their houses are covered by insurance,” Binay said.

            The housing czar also said Pag-IBIG members can also apply for a calamity loan which is the equivalent of 80 percent of their total savings. He added Pag-IBIG offers the lowest interest rate of calamity loans in the market.

            “Pag-IBIG’s calamity loan now carries a yearly interest rate of 5.95 percent, compared to the previous 10.75 percent,” Binay said.

            Binay also appealed to the private sector to help in providing relief goods to those in the evacuation areas.

            “Again, I would like to appeal to the private sector to help us in providing relief to those affected by the typhoon. I just had a talk with Mayor Junjun Binay of Makati and he already committed their support,” he added.