Negros island: Some 69,500 household-beneficiaries affected by the devastation of Typhoon Tino in the Negros Island Region (NIR) have received PHP421.987 million in emergency cash transfer (ECT) assistance as of February 28.
According to Philippines News Agency, data released by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Sunday showed that the amount covers payouts that began on February 12. The distribution took place in the municipalities of Hinigaran, Isabela, La Castellana, and San Enrique; cities of Himamaylan and La Carlota in Negros Occidental; and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.
The majority of recipients are from Hinigaran, where 22,972 beneficiaries received PHP138.933 million in financial aid. In Isabela, 14,207 beneficiaries received PHP94.327 million; La Carlota City had 15,097 beneficiaries receiving PHP92.201 million; La Castellana had 6,061 beneficiaries receiving PHP32.541 million; Himamaylan City had 4,975 beneficiaries receiving PHP26.71 million; San Enrique had 3,586 beneficiaries receiving PHP21.091 million; and Canlaon City had 2,602 beneficiaries receiving PHP16.18 million.
"The ECT payouts are ongoing and will continue to be implemented in identified local government units across the region, ensuring that affected families receive timely financial assistance to support their early recovery," the DSWD-NIR stated.
Households with severely damaged houses are provided PHP10,325 each, while those with slightly damaged houses receive PHP5,369 each. Hinigaran resident Jennifer Bulanon, who received the assistance on February 14, expressed her gratitude to the DSWD. "Our house was hit by a tree. If it is windy, we're afraid it would collapse. I will use the amount to buy materials so we can slowly build our house again," she said.
Esrael Recaido of La Carlota City and Ma. Fe Yusyusan of Isabela, who were among the recipients on February 21, also stated that the financial aid would help them rebuild their houses. The DSWD's ECT program is a post-disaster intervention providing unconditional cash assistance to affected families to meet their immediate needs. The initiative bridges disaster relief and early recovery by empowering households to set their priorities using available local resources, contributing to the early restoration of communities.
