The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) program releases have reach reached ₱236,616,525 benefiting 23,009 sugarcane farmers in the Negros Island Region (NIR) as of Wednesday, August 26, DSWD Regional Director Arwin Razo said Thursday.
The relief effort provides direct social protection to smallholder farmers whose livelihoods and crops were severely impacted by the Red-Striped Soft Scale Insect (RSSI) infestation in the region.
Negros Occidental accounted for the vast majority of beneficiaries, with 18,252 farmers receiving a total of ₱188,451,900 in 13 municipalities and cities.
The 13 areas are:
- Himamaylan City: 3,549 beneficiaries — ₱36,643,425
- Murcia: 2,322 beneficiaries — ₱23,974,650
- Isabela: 2,262 beneficiaries — ₱23,355,150
- La Castellana: 2,175 beneficiaries — ₱22,456,875
- Binalbagan: 1,523 beneficiaries — ₱15,724,975
- Moises Padilla: 1,521 beneficiaries — ₱15,704,325
- Hinigaran: 1,433 beneficiaries — ₱14,795,725
- Cadiz City: 1,019 beneficiaries — ₱10,521,175
- San Carlos City: 973 beneficiaries — ₱10,046,225
- Talisay City: 607 beneficiaries — ₱6,267,275.00
- Don Salvador Benedicto: 454 beneficiaries — ₱4,687,550
- Manapla: 342 beneficiaries — ₱3,531,150
- Sipalay City: 72 beneficiaries — ₱743,400
Razo said more disbursements were ongoing in La Castellana with a targeted 4,785 beneficiaries set to receive a total of ₱49,405,125.
In Negros Oriental, 4,757 farmers in six local government units received a total of ₱48,164,625:
The six areas are:
- Mabinay: 2,551 beneficiaries — ₱25,828,875
- Canlaon City: 867 beneficiaries — ₱8,778,375
- Bais City: 839 beneficiaries — ₱8,494,875
- Pamplona: 359 beneficiaries — ₱3,634,875
- Zamboanguita: 71 beneficiaries — ₱718,875
- Jimalalud: 70 beneficiaries — ₱708,750.*