Around 40,000 relief goods are being distributed in some towns in Capiz, Iloilo and Cebu that have been heavily damaged by Typhoon Yolanda, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay said.

            Binay sent a relief team to hand out 15,000 bags of food items to affected residents in Zarraga, Pototan, Barotac Nuevo, Banate, Passi, Lemery, Janiuay, San Dionisio, Lambunao, Concepcion, Estancia and Dumangas in Iloilo.

            Another team went to Capiz to deliver 20,000 relief bags in the municipalities of Dumarao, Cuartero, Panay, Dao, Roxas City, Ivisan, Tapaz, Dumalag, Sigma and President Roxas.

            Another team is on its way to Bantayan Island in Cebu, bringing 5,000 relief goods.

            “Lubos po kaming nakikiramay sa mga naging biktima nitong Yolanda. Kita po ng mga mata ko kung gaano kalakas ang hangin tsaka iyong mga nasira. Kahapon, kanina nandoon ho kami hanggang sa Passi, nag-ikot ikot ho kami sa Iloilo. Pero, mas grabe ho dito. Kada bayan namin na dinaanan, I understand mga 80-85% dito sa Capiz nasira,” Binay said in an interview in Roxas City Thursday.

            The Vice President visited Zarraga, Barotac Nuevo, Pototan, Banate, Estancia, Concepcion and Passi City in Iloilo and is going around Dumarao, Cuartero, Dao and Roxas City in Capiz.

            He said he intends to visit Leyte, Samar, Cebu, Aklan and Antique.

            As housing czar, Binay reminded affected residents that they may avail of the government’s housing programs.

            Pag-IBIG Fund has deployed roving offices in affected areas to make it easier for members to avail themselves of housing assistance.

            Members may avail themselves of a calamity loan at 5.95 percent annually, payable in two years and a three-month moratorium for those who have existing loans. The agency is also offering burial assistance.

            “On the part of the National Housing Authority, meron po kaming P5,000 worth ng construction materials para doon sa mga partially destroyed [houses]. Tapos si Presidente is setting aside an amount para doon sa pagbigay ng bahay doon sa mga totally nasira ang bahay,” Binay said.

            Meanwhile, communities under the Community Mortgage Program of the Socialized Housing and Finance Corporation can also avail of construction materials to help rebuild their houses.

            “There is massive destruction everywhere, but I assured our people that the government will help them rise up from this tragedy,” the Vice President said.