Manila, July 11 -- Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling has instructed the agency's regional offices (RO) to adopt a more proactive and anticipatory approach in leading shelter-related disaster response efforts.

The directive follows the guidance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during a recent emergency situational briefing with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

"As lead, you bear the primary responsibility for coordinating, guiding, and facilitating shelter-related activities under your areas of responsibility," Aliling said in a news release on Friday.

Citing that ROs are Regional Shelter Cluster Leads, he emphasized the need for swift, coordinated,...