(Photo courtesy of DSWD)
MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) launched a program to help victims of the magnitude 7 earthquake that hit Abra in July.
In a statement Wednesday, the DSWD said the Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) program was launched at the Abra provincial capitol on Monday.
The ECT primarily helps in the early recovery of disaster-affected families, especially those with damaged houses, and at the same time supports the early revival of local markets.
Governor Dominic Valera, in his speech, thanked DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo for being the first national government official to arrive and provide help to Abra in the aftermath of the disaster.
“Our heartfelt gratitude forever, hindi namin makakalimutan (we will never forget). On behalf of the beneficiaries in the province, ang aming taos pusong pasasalamat (our heartfelt thanks),” he said.
DSWD Undersecretary Vilma Cabrera, who read Tulfo's message during the event, said the agency is ready to help Abra "rise from the rubble".
“Makakaasa kayo na ang national government agencies, kasama ng lokal na pamahalaan, maging ang iba pang mga partner-organization at ahensiya ay magiging magkakatuwang upang patuloy na makatulong sa inyong pinagdadaanan (Rest assured that the national government, in coordination with the local government, partner-organizations, and other agencies will continue to assist you in your recovery), Cabrera said.
The province of Abra is the first recipient of the ECT program, which will be implemented in the 27 municipalities of the province.
Qualified beneficiaries are poor families listed under the DSWD Listahanan Poverty Database but are not receiving assistance from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), those residing in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, families with members who are from the vulnerable sector, families with casualties from the earthquake, and those with damaged houses.
Abra, together with the Mountain Province, was eligible for the ECT based on the set criteria such as rapid assessment, declaration of the state of calamity, and the presence of an active market that will help the entire locality in its recovery from the earthquake.
In Mountain Province, the ECT will also be implemented in the towns of Besao, Bauko, and Barangay Sacasacan in Sadanga.
A total of 23,415 families from Abra and the Mountain Province will benefit from the ECT with a total budget of PHP214.5 million.
Families with partially damaged houses will receive cash aid amounting to 75 percent of the minimum regional daily wage rate or PHP280 for 30 days or equivalent to PHP8,550.
Families with totally damaged houses, on the other hand, will receive PHP280 for 90 days or PHP25,650.
The local chief executives of the 27 towns of Abra were present to receive their ceremonial checks for their respective ECT implementation.
Abra Lone District Rep. Menchie Bernos also thanked the DSWD for the gesture.
“Walang hanggang pasasalamat kay Secretary Tulfo sa kanyang puso sa pagtulong sa bawat oras ng sakuna (endless gratitude to Secretary Tulfo for his heart in helping in times of disasters)," she said. (PNA)
