The distribution of more than P1.5 billion in Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has begun for families in Negros affected by Typhoon Tino, which struck in November last year.
The payout kicked off in Hinigaran, which has been identified as a pilot area, DSWD Negros Island Region Director Arwin Razo said on Thursday, Feb. 12.
He said 198,984 affected families in the 4th and 5th Districts of Negros Occidental and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental will receive assistance.
There are 18,839 severely affected families—those with totally damaged homes—who will receive P10,325 each. The 180,145 slightly affected families will receive P5,369 each, he said.
The distribution in Hinigaran, the pilot area, has already started, he added.
Razo clarified that they will return to La Castellana to reach those who had not yet received their grants during the initial release during the visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Meanwhile, 1,193 tourism workers affected by Typhoon Tino will also receive ECT, with a separate P12.3 million allocated for them.
“We are talking to the LGUs and our partners. We will work together because it’s a huge challenge for DSWD. Hopefully, we can finish the distribution before the end of the first quarter. That’s our target. It’s one after another, and we’ll strategize to have it done simultaneously,” Razo said.*
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