The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Field Office 3-Central Luzon has started the distribution of Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) to families and individuals affected by Super Typhoon Carina in July 2024.

The ECT payouts began on Tuesday (June 24) in the municipalities of Abucay in Bataan and in Arayat and Candaba in Pampanga and will continue until the first week of July, benefiting more than 62,000 families in the affected areas in the region.

“Gaya ng utos ng ating Pangulo, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., hindi pwedeng magbigay lang tayo ng relief goods habang at pagkatapos ng bagyo. Kailangan din nating subaybayan at tulungan ang mga apektadong pamilya hanggang maka-recover o makabangon muli sila,” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) said on Wednesday (June 25).

Each beneficiary is set to receive Php5,625 which can be used to meet their basic needs such as food, drinking water, medicine, and other daily necessities.

Asst. Secretary Dumlao, who is also the DSWD spokesperson, said strict security measures are in place at the payout sites, with support from the Provincial and Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“We want to make sure that the distribution is safe, smooth, and dignified for all beneficiaries. Maayos ang proseso ng pamamahagi at sinisigurado naming ligtas ang payout sites sa tulong ng ating mga katuwang sa lokal na pamahalaan at iba pang ahensya,” the DSWD spokesperson said.

The ECT is part of DSWD’s disaster response efforts and an adaptive strategy for bridging the gaps between immediate disaster relief, humanitarian response, and early recovery support through outright cash aid for disaster-affected families in areas under a state of calamity.

“Patuloy ang DSWD sa pagbibigay ng tulong sa mga kababayan nating nasalanta ng bagyo. Gusto naming maramdaman nila na hindi sila nag-iisa sa pagbangon,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said. (YADP)