Albay – The Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 5 continues the distribution of cash assistance under its Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) and Cash-for-Work (CFW) program for families with totally damaged houses in Albay. These beneficiaries were supposed to be given cash assistance during the distribution of ESA and CFW last December 15-29, 2020. However, government policies require the agency to disburse cash assistance to beneficiaries with complete documents only.

ESA and CFW in Albay

A total of 30 beneficiaries have claimed cash assistance under ESA – 4 in Tiwi and 26 in Tabaco City. The agency distributed PhP 10,000.00 per beneficiary amounting to PhP 300,000.00 under ESA. Based on the payroll, there were two beneficiaries in Tiwi and five in Tabaco City who were still unable to claim the cash assistance due to incomplete documents, inconsistent signatures in the ESA forms and Identification Cards presented.

As to CFW, 32 out of 37 beneficiaries have claimed the cash assistance. Each beneficiary was given PhP 3,100.00, equivalent to 100% of the Regional Daily Wage Rate of PhP 310.00 multiplied by ten days (number of days rendered). In total, the agency disbursed PhP 99,200.00 under unclaimed CFW.

Reasons for unclaimed cash assistance

Lack of documents and inconsistent signatures are still the major reasons for unclaimed cash assistance. In the case of Mrs. Analiza Boral, a resident of Sagurong, San Miguel Island, Tabaco City, non-appearance due to misinformation prevented her from claiming her CFW benefit. Mrs. Boral was assisted by DSWD Region 5 personnel to claim her benefit a day after the scheduled distribution.

According to Ms. Marites Quismorio, Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD) Chief, ESA and CFW distribution in Catanduanes will also resume on January 14, 2021. Based on the records, there are still 80 beneficiaries with unclaimed ESA in the province. The agency is set to disburse PhP 800,000.00 for 80 ESA beneficiaries in the province.