DSWD to start emergency cash transfers for earthquake victims

The Department of Social Welfare and Development on Tuesday said it is set to start releasing emergency cash transfers (ECT) to the victims of recent strong earthquakes in the country. 

DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao told GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita in an interview that beneficiaries may use the assistance for house repair, among others. 

“Mag-uumpisa na nga rin po tayo na mag-implement ng emergency cash transfer na kung saan magbabahagi tayo ng tulong pinansyal para magamit ng mga naapektuhan sa pagsasaayos ng kanilang nasirang mga tahanan,” Dumlao said. 

(We will also begin implementing an emergency cash transfer where we will distribute financial assistance to those affected to use in repairing their damaged homes.)

“Pagsasaayos din po ng kanilang mga nasirang kabuhayan and pagbili rin ng mga ibang food items na hindi po nilalaman ng ating mga family food packs,” she added.

(It may also be used for the recovery of their livelihoods and purchase of other food items that are not included in our family food packs.)

According to the DSWD, the ECT is a post-disaster intervention in the form of cash transfers given to families surviving from covariate shocks.

The ECT is an unconditional cash grant, meaning this financial aid may be used by the beneficiary for any purpose that would aid in their day to day needs and repair of their damaged house.

According to the DSWD, the amount of the relief aid is equivalent to 75%of the prevailing Regional Daily Wage Rate in the concerned area multiplied by the number of days of the intended period of assistance.

Over 500,000 family food packs have been distributed to earthquake-hit families in Cebu province so far, while 57,000 in affected Mindanao areas, Dumlao said. Over 2,000,000 more family food packs are left in the national stockpile.

Psychosocial assistance is also given to the earthquake victims.

A series of strong earthquakes recently hit different parts of the country. The strongest earthquakes among these recent seismic events are the following:

• Bogo City, Cebu - magnitude 6.9 on September 30
• Manay, Davao Oriental - magnitude 7.4 and magnitude 6.8 on October 10 (doublet)
• Cagwait, Surigao del Sur - magnitude 6.0 on October 11

Fatalities in Cebu earthquake reached 75, while in Davao Oriental earthquake eight.—AOL, GMA Integrated News