• CHERYL G. CRUZ
A total of P574,957,686 in cash aid, under the Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, was received by 85,990 residents affected by Typhoon Tino in Hinigaran, Isabela, La Castellana, San Enrique, Himamaylan and La Carlota in Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.
The disbursements that started Feb. 12 until March 2, aims to assist affected families in their recovery from the devastations brought by “Tino” that hammered Negros and neighboring areas Nov. 4, the DSWD-Negros Island Region said.
In Bago, more than 2,000 residents, whose houses were “severely and slightly” affected by the typhoon received about P21.6 million in cash assistance during the payout March 3 at the Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum and Cultural Center.
Of these recipients, 1,568 from the 24 barangays whose houses were “severely affected” got P10,325 each, or P16,189,600 in total, the city said, adding that another 1,011 beneficiaries from Barangay Tabunan with “slightly affected” houses received P5,369 each, for a total of P5,428,059.
These beneficiaries are among the 22,888 Bagonhons, who will receive total assistance of P130,656,680 in the five-day payouts.
The city said that today, 4,030 beneficiaries with “slightly affected” houses from barangays Poblacion, Sampinit, Lag-asan, Balingasag, Busay, Calumangan, and Pacol will each receive P5,369, for a total of P21,637,070; 5,409 residents from barangays Taloc, Dulao, Abuanan, Atipuluan, Malingin, Napoles, and Sagasa on March 5, with an ECT aid of P29,040,921; 5,393 beneficiaries from barangays Alianza, Bagroy, Don Jorge Araneta, Binubuhan, and Mailum on March 6, totaling P28,955,017; and 5,477 residents of barangays Caridad, Ma-ao, Bacong, and Ilijan will receive P29,406,013 in assistance on March 7.
Mayor Mayette Javellana, who graced the start of the payout, thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the DSWD, “who made all of these possible”.
“Kabalo ko ginhulat n’yo ini sa pila ka bulan. In the Lord’s perfect time, ang ginaayo ta nga payout ari na,” the mayor told the beneficiaries. “Ululupod kita tanan sa pagbangon diri sa aton pinalangga nga syudad.”
The DSWD-NIR said the ECT payouts will continue to be implemented in identified local government units across the region in the coming weeks. | CGC
