Western visayas: The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Western Visayas (DSWD-6) has successfully distributed PHP11.99 million in cash assistance to 1,162 tourism workers affected by Typhoon Tino. This initiative is part of the department's emergency cash transfer (ECT) program aimed at providing financial support to those impacted by the typhoon.

According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD 6 information officer Therese Fely Legaste stated that the affected workers hailed from 31 local government units across the region. The assistance was provided in collaboration with the Department of Tourism (DOT), which referred the impacted tourism workers to the DSWD for support. The beneficiaries included individuals from various towns and cities in Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Aklan, and Antique, each receiving PHP10,325.

Additionally, an initial 8,261 beneficiaries from Aklan and Antique, whose homes were damaged by Typhoon Tino, have also received cash assistance under the regular ECT program. The program is designed to aid 36,321 families from 87 local government units in the region, with a total budget allocation of PHP200 million. Those with partially damaged homes were provided PHP5,369 each, while those with completely destroyed homes received PHP10,325 each.

Legaste mentioned that the distribution is currently at 22.74 percent of the target, with efforts ongoing to complete the release of the regular ECT aid by April this year.