Cebu: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7 has released more than PHP148 million in Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) assistance to over 26,000 families impacted by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Northern Cebu. The ECT program provides flexible support for immediate relief and early recovery needs of disaster-affected families, enabling them to purchase essential supplies not covered by the relief goods distributed by the agency.

According to Philippines News Agency, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD Disaster Response Management Group stated in a recent announcement that the latest cash distribution took place in the municipality of Catmon on October 26. In Catmon, 740 households received aid, with 23 families whose homes were completely destroyed receiving PHP10,125 each, and 717 families with partially damaged homes receiving PHP5,250 each.

The City of Bogo reported the highest number of ECT beneficiaries in Northern Cebu, where 3,766 families were each provided with PHP5,265 in cash assistance. Dumlao emphasized that measures are in place to ensure that the assistance reaches the affected families promptly and meets their actual needs.

Dumlao explained that before implementing the ECT in disaster-stricken areas, assessments are conducted to verify if local markets are operational and capable of meeting the essential needs of families. This approach ensures that the cash assistance is suitable, responsive, and genuinely beneficial for the affected households.