PHILIPPINES – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has started distributing emergency cash transfers (ECT) to those seriously impacted by the recent habagat (Southwest Monsoon) and Typhoon Egay to lessen the suffering of the typhoon-ravaged communities in Ilocos Norte.
The action is in response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s order to prioritize "early recovery" in disaster-affected areas.
DSWD Secretary Gatchalian emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring that no resident impacted by the typhoon will go hungry. The emergency cash transfer program aims to provide immediate financial aid to affected families, enabling them to meet their basic needs during this challenging time.
The DSWD Ilocos Regional Office has been working closely with the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) to verify and consolidate the list of beneficiaries for cash assistance. Through spot validation and coordination efforts, DSWD aims to expedite the distribution process to reach those in need as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the DSWD Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is gearing up to launch the ECT payout in Bontoc, Mountain Province, on August 11. Approximately 385 beneficiaries are expected to receive assistance under this initiative.
In addition to the ECT program, DSWD plans to implement a cash-for-work (CFW) program in the affected areas. This initiative will provide employment opportunities for the impacted communities and help them rebuild their lives.
The cash-for-work program is anticipated to last for 30-45 days, subject to the identification of beneficiaries by the local government units (LGUs) and verification by the DSWD Field Office. —iTacloban