The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has already started the release of livelihood assistance settlement grants (LSG) to families affected by Typhoon Egay, Assistant Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group Irene Dumlao said on Tuesday.

Dumlao said around 3,000 families will receive their LSG, including PHP4.8 million given to an initial 484 families during the ceremonial payout at the St. Joseph Institute Gymnasium in Candon City, Ilocos Sur on March 22, 2024 through the DSWD’s Field Office-1 (Ilocos Region).

“Part of our disaster response is to ensure that the needs of the affected population, whose economic activities were disrupted, are addressed. These livelihood grants will aid the affected families in their long-term recovery and rehabilitation,” Dumlao said in a news release on Tuesday.

The co-spokesperson of the DSWD said the beneficiaries came from the municipalities of Alilem, Sigay, Cervantes, Quirino, Del Pilar, Sugpon, and Suyo.

“This is just the first leg of the distribution of the livelihood grants. Other payout activities will be conducted by the DSWD in April to complete the target of 3,000 families belonging to the poor, vulnerable, and informal sectors,” she added.

Typhoon Egay, with international name “Doksuri”, reached super typhoon category when it hit the country on July 25, 2023, claiming 137 lives and leaving massive destruction particularly in northern Luzon and portions of central and southern Luzon.

Assistant Secretary for Specialized Programs Florentino Y. Loyola Jr. led the initial distribution of the grants. He was joined by Ilocos Sur 2nd District Rep. Kristine Singsong-Meehan and Candon City Mayor Eric Singson. (PNA)