DSWD Field Office 5 distributed more than Php153 million worth of cash aid through its first implementation of Emergency Cash Transfer program to families affected by the recent disasters in the region.
The ECT program serves as an adaptive strategy bridging the gap between immediate disaster relief, humanitarian response, and early recovery support. It offers essential cash aid for families in areas declared under a state of calamity.
This year 2023 is the first implementation of ECT program of the DSWD Field Office V headed by Regional Director Norman S. Laurio, the agency was able to disburse Php153,642,760 worth of ECT to disaster affected families.
For the recent Mayon Eruption Response Operation in the province of Albay, DSWD Field Office 5 disbursed Php136,764,360 worth of ECT both 1st and 2nd tranche to 5,672 internally displaced families in the seven (7) affected LGUs includes Camalig, Daraga, Guinobatan, City of Ligao, Tabaco City, Malilipot, and Santo Domingo.
Each affected family, whose livelihood has been disrupted due to the Mayon Volcanic Eruption, received PHP 12,330.00. This financial support is aimed at assisting them with their daily needs and consumption. This is also a response to the agency’s efforts to aid in the early recovery of these affected families.
Today, DSWD FO V through its Disaster Response Management Division also concluded its ECT payout in the Provinces of Albay, Catanduanes, and Camarines Norte.
Last October 29, 2022, these three said provinces were devastated during the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng, that caused major damages to property, disruption of means of livelihoods, roads and normal way of life of people in the affected areas, as the result to government to declare state of calamity in these provinces.
The agency was able to disbursed Php16, 878,400.00 to identified 4,885 affected families in the three provinces. Out of 4,885 beneficiaries 2,674 affected families from the Province of Albay received financial assistance amounting to Php2,740.00.
Furthermore, 113 beneficiaries from Catanduanes and Camarines Norte who had reported totally damage house received Php8,220.00 cash assistance and 2,098 from both provinces also receive Php4,110.00 worth of financial assistance.
This program is a testament to the commitment of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. through DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, to ensure the immediate delivery of services to disaster-stricken families in the country.
As the vice-chair for National Disaster Response, DSWD is committed to upholding the integrity of the ECT process, ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of services and programs to disaster-stricken families.
This substantial assistance is a beacon of hope for those affected by the those devastating calamities, offering them the support needed to rebuild their lives. ###