Aurora: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is prioritizing the distribution of monetary aid under the emergency cash transfer (ECT) program to families whose homes sustained significant damage from the recent typhoon.
According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian gave the assurance during his visit to Aurora province, where he met with local officials at the Provincial Conference Hall in Baler to discuss the distribution of ECT and other needed assistance in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Uwan (international name Fung-wong). Gatchalian emphasized the importance of a proper assessment of the damage to ensure that aid reaches those who are most in need, urging mayors to focus on identifying both partially and totally damaged houses.
He informed the mayors that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has always highlighted the role of cash assistance in aiding Filipinos to recover and rebuild their lives. Gatchalian cited the President’s remark that “not all the needs of the people can be found in the relief packs,” underscoring the necessity of cash assistance.
Under the ECT program, individuals with partially-damaged homes will receive PHP5,000, while those with totally-damaged homes will receive PHP10,000. Social workers from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office will assess the extent of the damage to determine the appropriate amount of aid. Gatchalian clarified that this cash aid is intended as partial assistance and mentioned that additional support may still be forthcoming.
Among those present at the meeting were Gov. Isidro Galban, Rep. Rommel Angara of Aurora’s lone district, and DSWD officials led by Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the Disaster Response and Management Group, and Assistant Secretary Paul Ledesma of the Office for Special Concerns.
Gatchalian visited Barangay Gupa in Dipaculao to assess the damage caused by the super typhoon. He also supervised ongoing relief operations, including the distribution of 500 boxes of family food packs, hygiene kits, and sleeping kits. The DSWD chief personally distributed food packs and hot meals from the DSWD’s mobile kitchen, while taking time to check on the well-being of residents.
To date, more than 29,000 food packs have been distributed to various barangays as part of the ongoing relief efforts. Based on the DSWD assessment, the municipalities of Dinalungan, Dingalan, Casiguran, and Dilasag were among the hardest hit by the storm surge, resulting in Aurora province being placed under a state of calamity. The DSWD’s Central Luzon Field Office has requested a replenishment of its relief supplies, with an additional 15,000 FFPs scheduled for delivery before the end of the month.
