Mayor Greg Gasataya announced on Thursday, Dec. 18, that the second batch of financial aid under the Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) program has been successfully downloaded to the city government, ensuring remaining typhoon-affected families will receive much-needed assistance.
The development underscores the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) commitment to prioritizing Bacolod City among local government units following the devastation of Typhoon “Tino”, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
The mayor thanked DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian for the swift release of funds, noting that the agency’s prompt action has significantly accelerated recovery for families who lost their homes and livelihoods.
“I was just informed by the DSWD, and I am very grateful to the agency because Bacolod is the first in the entire region to receive the Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) for those affected by Typhoon Tino”, Gasataya said.
After completing the first batch for numbered barangays, the city is now proceeding with the second phase, covering beneficiaries from Barangay Granada to Barangay Vista Alegre.
Distributions are being held in alphabetical order at designated sites to ensure an orderly, dignified process, the press release said.
Gasataya also addressed concerns about the master list of beneficiaries.
He clarified that missing or “removed” names were largely due to technical encoding issues, such as duplicate entries that triggered system errors.
He advised affected residents to coordinate directly with their barangay halls for validation and correction, rather than relying on unverified information.
The mayor also issued a firm warning against corruption in the distribution process.
He emphasized that beneficiaries must receive the full amount of assistance — ₱10, 325 for destroyed houses and ₱5,369 those damaged — and that no one is authorized to collect “processing fees.”
“I am reminding everyone that you have zero obligation to give a single centavo to anyone claiming to have ‘processed’ your papers. If we receive documented proof of anyone taking a cut from these grants, the City will not hesitate to file criminal cases,” the mayor stressed.
A total of 44,463 families were affected by Typhoon Tino. The first batch of ECT beneficiaries included 3,430 families with totally destroyed homes and 14,823 with partially damaged houses.
City Administrator Mark Steven Mayo and Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) Department head Dr. Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga are closely coordinating to resolve remaining technical issues.
They assured the public that all tagged or questioned entries are being reviewed to ensure no legitimate victim is excluded.*