MANILA, Philippines — Storm victims who are currently in “transition” shelters in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities were assured by the government of their qualification as beneficiaries of its permanent shelter program.

“The instruction of President Aquino is very clear to all of us in the Cabinet, to extend all possible assistance and help ‘Sendong’ victims,” Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman said.

Other key partner national government agencies namely, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), National Housing Authority (NHA), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are converging initiatives and services to address the shelter needs of the typhoon victims.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) leads the Shelter Cluster and the Social Protection Cluster. Soliman said the Shelter Cluster already conducted series of meetings in Cagayan de Oro City to discuss early recovery and relocation of the internally displaced persons.

In Cagayan de Oro City, some 393 families with 2,049 persons are now in Calaanan transition shelter, 109 families in Indahag, 62 families in Km. 5 Elementary School and 61 families in Agusan Elementary School. Other 88 families in Sitio Calacala will be transferred to Lumbia relocation site on January 18.

In Iligan City, four temporary relocation sites have also been set-up. The relocation sites are found in Tent City, Tambo Terminal (102 families); City Central Elementary School (8 families); Tambacan Elementary School (84 families); and Brgy. San Roque (91 families).

DSWD said there were also permanent relocation sites that were identified for internally displaced persons. It added that site identification and development is currently ongoing until June 2012, while the identification and validation of beneficiaries is expected to be finalized by the end of January 2012.

“We will continue to work closely with concerned national government agencies, local government executives, NGOs, civil society groups and faith-based volunteers to expedite the rehabilitation and reconstruction process,” Soliman said.

As this developed, another cadaver was recovered from the landslide site in a mining community in Compostela Valley as authorities concluded the search and retrieval operation.

1Lt. Salvacion Conejos, head of the monitoring team of the Incident Command Post in Pantukan town, said the cadaver belongs to a woman, adding that the body was retrieved a few hours before the retrieval operation was ended on Friday. “She is still unidentified along with three others,” said Conejos as she revealed that a total of 41 bodies were retrieved since the landslide occurred after New Year.

A total of 42 others remain missing and Conejos said the landslide site in Sitio Diat Uno and Diat Dos in Barangay Napnapan will already serve as the mass grave.

Conejos said all the civilian members of the search and retrieval teams left the area past 4 p.m. on Friday, along with the heavy equipment. “Only policemen and soldiers are left here, they will be assisting the local government in implementing the no habitation policy,” said Conejos.

The no-habitation policy means demolition of houses in the two sub-villages hit by the landslides and nearby areas declared by local geologists as danger zones.

Conejos would not say whether or not relatives of the missing persons have all agreed to stop the operation but she stressed that the local officials agreed to continuously address the concerns of the displaced and would-be displaced families. “The consultation and assistance will continue, it will all be ironed out next week,” said Conejos.

Meanwhile, Conejos revealed that the local officials will be sending religious representatives to celebrate mass and perform other religious rites for those who are still buried in the area. “That was the decision, representatives from various religious groups will be allowed there,” said Conejos.

Aside from religious rites, the official said relatives of both whose cadavers were recovered and those who are still in the missing list will also be allowed to build structure to honor the memory of their loved ones. She, however, clarified that those who wish to go to the area have to inform the local officials for information and assistance. (With a report from Aaron Recuenco)