The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office-11 (Davao Region) has disbursed some PHP1.8 billion in emergency cash transfer (ECT) for families affected by the shearline and trough of low pressure area (LPA) that hit the Davao region in the first quarter of 2024.

“This effort highlights the DSWD Davao Field Office’s commitment in supporting the recovery and rebuilding of the disaster-affected communities in the Davao Region. It is also in line with the directive of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian to ensure that no one is left behind in times of emergencies,” DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumalo said in a news release on Monday.

As of July 5, some 221,545 beneficiaries from provinces of Davao Del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Davao De Oro have received their ECT.

In Davao Del Norte, the Field Office has released more than PHP671.5 million for 67,421 beneficiaries, while over PHP921.4 million has been distributed to 92,516 families from Davao Oriental.

In Davao de Oro, PHP306.8 million were given to 61,608 residents.

The Field Office launched the 2nd round of ECT payouts in the towns of Cateel, Davao Oriental on June 26-29; Caraga, Davao Oriental on July 3-5; Nabunturan, Davao de Oro on July 2-5; and Compostela, Davao de Oro on July 1-2.

The ECT is an adaptive strategy for bridging the gaps between immediate disaster relief, humanitarian response, and early recovery support through outright cash aid for disaster-affected families in areas under a state of calamity.

“The outright cash aid gives the beneficiaries the opportunity to purchase their priority needs aside from those provided by the DSWD through the family food packs,” said Dumlao, also assistant secretary for Disaster Response Management Group. (PNA)