Over 3,500 families from two provinces in the Bicol Region started receiving unconditional cash grants totaling PHP18.3 million on Monday through the Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

In an interview, DSWD-5 Director Norman Laurio reported that the 3,563 beneficiaries are from Sorsogon and Camarines Norte provinces.

Of the PHP18.3 million, families in Camarines Norte received PHP13.4 million, while Sorsogon received PHP4.9 million.

“The recipients included families affected by Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Kristine (international name: Trami) in the towns of Irosin and Casiguran in Sorsogon, as well as Paracale, Daet, and San Vicente in Camarines Norte. These families experienced damage or destruction to their homes due to Kristine,” he said.

Among the beneficiaries, 3,468 families whose homes were damaged received PHP5,032 each, while 95 families whose houses were destroyed were given PHP9,768 each.

Laurio said that the ECT program was designed to provide additional assistance to families working to recover from the disaster.

Earlier, the DSWD-5 also distributed similar assistance from March 19 to 21, providing a total of PHP29.8 million in financial aid to families across Sorsogon province. (PNA)