Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Wednesday (November 5) meets with the local chief executives (LCEs) of Aurora province to discuss the provision of early recovery interventions for families affected by Super Typhoon Uwan.
Secretary Gatchalian assured the LCEs that the Department is ready to distribute financial aid under the Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) program as soon as the DSWD’s Field Office 3 – Central Luzon receives the validated lists of disaster-affected families from the concerned local government units (LGUs).
Those who attended the meeting were Aurora Governor Isidro Galban, Aurora Lone District Rep. Rommel Rico Angara, and other local chief executives of the province. The DSWD officials present were Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe and Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao of the Disaster Response and Management Group (DRMG), and Asst. Secretary Paul Ledesma of the Office for Special Concerns. World Food Programme (WFP) Country Director Regis Chapman also joined the meeting. (AKDL)
DSWD to prioritize ECT monetary aid for houses with significant damage caused by super typhoon Uwan
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.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian gave the assurance on Wednesday (November 12) 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.
“Alam kong it’s a thankless job iyong pagtukoy doon sa mga partially damaged houses [at] totally damaged, iyon ang laging pinaka-marami. But then again, gawin po nating matiwasay at maayos ang [assessment]. Pakiusap natin sa mga mayors ay tignan ng mabuti lalo na iyong mga nangangailangan kasi iyan po ang tututukan natin,” the DSWD Chief told the local chief executives (LCEs) of Aurora province.
Secretary Gatchalian told the Aurora mayors that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has always emphasized the significance of cash assistance in helping Filipinos recover and rebuild their lives.
“Si Pangulo laging very particular doon sa cash assistance. Ang favorite line ng Presidente, hindi lahat ng gamit ng tao na kailangan [nila] ay matatagpuan sa relief packs. So, we have to start talking about cash assistance,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
Under the ECT program, beneficiaries with partially-damaged houses will receive Php5,000, while those with totally-damaged houses will receive Php10,000.
Social workers from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) will assess the extent of the damage to determine the amount to be provided.
Secretary Gatchalian clarified that this cash aid is intended as partial assistance and that additional support may still be given.
“Alam ko it’s not enough, siguro may magsasabi ang Php10,000 ay hindi maibabalik ang buong kabahayan nila. Pauna lang. We can also come back for recovery so we can augment naman kumbaga paunang paraan [ang ECT], ang mahalaga gumagalaw tayo rather than iyong mga tao nag aantay ng matagal,” the DSWD chief said.
Among those who attended the meeting were Governor Isidro Galban, Rep. Rommel Angara of Aurora’s lone district and DSWD officials led by Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe and Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao of the Disaster Response and Management Group (DRMG), and Asst. Secretary Paul Ledesma of the Office for Special Concerns (OSC).
Secretary Gatchalian later visited Barangay Gupa in Dipaculao to assess the extent of damage caused by the super typhoon. He also supervised the ongoing relief operations, including the distribution of 500 boxes of family food packs (FFPs), 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 have a light banter with residents and check on their well-being.
The DSWD’s Field Office (FO) 3 – Central Luzon has reported that relief operations have become more efficient through the prepositioning of 40,000 FFPs throughout the province. More than 29,000 food packs have been distributed to various barangays in the ongoing relief efforts.
Based on the FO-3’s 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. (KB)
