DSWD FO5 staff handing over a total of PhP 13,100 to ESA and CFW beneficiary in Virac, Catanduanes during its distribution on December 17, 2020

Albay and Catanduanes – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region V scheduled distribution of cash assistance under Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) and Cash-for-Work (CFW) Program to accommodate beneficiaries who were not able to claim during the previous distribution. There are 80 beneficiaries in Catanduanes scheduled for pay-out on January 14-15, 2021. In Tabaco City, Albay CFW distribution is scheduled on January 12, 2021 while ESA distribution schedule in Tabaco City and other municipalities in Albay is yet to be finalized.

The numbers: ESA and CFW in Catanduanes and Albay

The agency started the distribution of cash assistance under ESA and CFW as early as December 2, 2020 in Catanduanes. Last year, the ESA-CFW team sent to Catanduanes was able to serve 5,151 beneficiaries for ESA and 3,829 CFW beneficiaries. The DSWD Region 5 was able to distribute a total of PhP 51,510,000.00 for ESA and PhP 11,869,900.00 for CFW. In total, PhP 63,379,900.00 were distributed to typhoon-affected residents in the province of Catanduanes.

In Albay, there were 4,723 beneficiaries of ESA and 3,485 CFW beneficiaries served starting December 15 to 29, 2020. For ESA, the agency distributed PhP 47,230,000.00 while PhP 10,803,500.00 were distributed under CFW. A total of PhP 58,033,500.00 were distributed for ESA and CFW beneficiaries in the province of Albay.

Overall, the agency has already disbursed PhP 121,413,400.00 under ESA and CFW for typhoon-affected families in the Bicol Region, excluding unclaimed cash assistance.

Reasons for unclaimed cash assistance

According to Ms. Marites Quismorio, Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD) Chief, most beneficiaries who were unable to claim their cash benefits due to non-appearance, lack of documents like ID or signed authorization letter, or issues such as double claim or in least case, non-eligibility to claim assistance.

To claim, beneficiaries were advised to complete lacking documents. The agency also conducted re-payroll to correct names of beneficiaries and exclude those identified as non-eligible.###