The Department of Social Welfare and Development has begun distributing emergency cash transfers (ECT) to small farmers in Negros Oriental whose sugarcane crops were damaged by Red-Stripe Soft Scale Insects (RSSI), DSWD Regional Director Arwin Razo said Monday, August 17.
Distribution of P10,125 each to 871 farmers in Canlaon City and 1,004 in Mabinay, Negros Oriental, started Saturday. Razo said more Mabinay farmers will be covered during the second payout.
In Negros Oriental, an initial 5,744 small farmers are scheduled to receive a combined ₱58.1 million this week. The recipient list covers farmers from Amlan, Bais City, Bayawan City, Jimalalud, Pamplona, Siaton, Tayasan, and Zamboanguita.
Meanwhile, a third batch of ECT beneficiaries in Negros Occidental will also begin receiving payouts this week. This round covers 28,069 farmers across 13 local government units, totaling ₱289.8 million, Razo said.
Razo credited Negros Occidental LGUs for their prompt submission of beneficiary lists that has allowed swift payouts.*
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