DSWD Bicol Distributes P154 Million in Aid to Families Affected by Disasters
Bicol – The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5) has provided nearly PHP154 million in cash assistance to over 10,500 families in the region, affected by various disasters this year.
According to Philippines News Agency, the officer-in-charge of DSWD Bicol’s disaster response and management division, the funds disbursed under the Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) Program are intended as early recovery support. The program has distributed PHP153.6 million to disaster-affected families in the provinces of Albay, Catanduanes, and Camarines Norte in 2023. In Albay, families displaced by the Mayon eruption received PHP136.7 million, with each family getting PHP12,330 to help with their immediate needs following the disruption of their livelihoods.
The region also suffered from the effects of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng in October last year, resulting in significant property damage, loss of livelihoods, and impacts on infrastructure and lives. This led the government to declare a state of calamity in the affected provinces. In response, DSWD allocated PHP16.8 million to 4,885 families in the three provinces. The ECT program, supported by President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, aims to ensure swift service delivery to disaster-stricken families.
In addition to financial aid, the Albay provincial government is closely monitoring the risk of lahar flow from Mayon Volcano, which threatens approximately 35,000 families. The Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office’s latest data indicates that heavy rainfall could affect around 35,200 families or 132,933 individuals across 112 barangays in 11 local government units. These include Sto. Domingo, Bacacay Malilipot, Tabaco City, Malinao, Daraga, Camalig, Legazpi City, Ligao City, Guinobatan, and Libon. Local residents are urged to remain vigilant and adhere to safety advisories, while the government coordinates with agencies to implement precautionary measures.