DSWD7 begins cash payout to Cebu-quake affected families

CEBU -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Field Office 7 started the payout of the Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) assistance to families affected by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Northern Cebu on October 17 for the beneficiaries from Bogo City and San Remigio town.

Some 331 families with partially damaged houses and 68 families with totally damaged houses in San Remigio and Bogo City received their ECT assistance on October 17, and these families currently stay in temporary shelters at the Tent City in Bogo City and the evacuation camps established by DSWD.

Another 589 families claimed their Emergency Cash Transfer (RCT) assistance at the San Remigio Gymnasium today, October 24. These families are those with houses that sustained total damage from the 6.9-magnitude earthquake.  The beneficiaries, coming from 15 barangays, each received ₱10,125.00 through the personnel from DSWD-7.

To ensure the smooth and orderly conduct of the payout, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of San Remigio with criminology interns from Cebu Roosevelt Memorial Colleges, managed the crowd control.

The schedule and venue of the next ECT payout depends on the availability of the respective LGUs, DSWD7 said that after completing two rounds of Family Food Pack (FFP) distribution, the provision of the Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) followed.

“Kami sa hanay ng DSWD, tapos na tayo doon sa pamimigay ng food packs. Nag-umpisa na rin tayo ng ECT payout, at patuloy itong isinasagawa sa iba’t-ibang lugar na naapektuhan ng lindol. Tulad ng ipinangako ng buong pamahalaang nasyonal, lalo na ng DSWD, hinding-hindi kami bibitaw hanggang sa tuluyang makabangon muli ang mga Cebuano,” DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said during his visit to Cebu recently.

According to Gatchalian, the list of beneficiaries was provided by the local government units (LGUs) following days of profiling using the Family Assistance Card in Emergencies and Disasters (FACED) tool, which collects data on disaster-affected families.

DSWD and LGUs used this tool to ensure that affected families receive the appropriate assistance and interventions they need, such as the Emergency Cash Transfer of DSWD. The LGUs conducted profiling, with the DSWD providing continuous technical assistance.

The LGU social workers serve as the primary data gatherers, compiling, validating, and submitting the list of affected families to the DSWD for final verification and confirmation.

Families with totally damaged houses received ₱10,125 each, while those with partially damaged houses received ₱5,250. The ECT provides early recovery support to help affected families rebuild their homes and gradually recover from the impacts of the earthquake. (Photos: DSWD7-FB)