Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has introduced revised guidelines for its Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) program, aiming to enhance its responsiveness in the wake of multiple disasters across the country. The new measures are set to better align the program with disaster response and early recovery initiatives for internally displaced persons (IDPs).
According to Philippines News Agency, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) highlighted the versatility of the ECT program in addressing the immediate and post-impact needs of disaster-affected families. The cash assistance is intended to cover essential items such as nutritious food, hygiene products, medicine, and clothing, which are often not included in the standard relief packages provided by the agency.
The ECT is also designed to assist with hospital expenses, transportation, educational support, and livelihood initiatives, provided the affected families have not received similar aid from other sources. Dumlao emphasized that the ECT can play a crucial role during the rehabilitation and recovery phase, contributing to income-generating activities and livelihood recovery for families impacted by disasters.
The revised guidelines outline three key triggers for the implementation of the ECT program. The first trigger is the declaration of a state of calamity by relevant authorities, including the President, provincial boards, or local government councils. The second trigger involves assessing the operability of local markets in disaster-hit areas, ensuring that they can supply necessary goods and services. Lastly, the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) report will determine the necessity of ECT assistance based on the extent of damages and recovery needs.
The DSWD has also defined the beneficiary classification under the new guidelines, categorizing families as severely or slightly affected by disasters. Severely affected families include those with completely damaged homes, long-term displacements, or significant income loss. Slightly affected families are those with partially damaged homes, short-term displacements, or minimal income loss.
The amount of cash assistance varies depending on the beneficiary category and specific needs of the families. Dumlao assured the public that the ECT program is committed to addressing the needs of target beneficiaries, despite the challenges posed by consecutive disasters and their destructive impacts.
Recently, the DSWD has deployed the ECT program to assist those affected by earthquakes in Cebu and Davao, as well as Typhoons Opong and Ramil in Masbate and Capiz, respectively.
