Abucay: The Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Field Office 3-Central Luzon has commenced the distribution of more than PHP348.75 million in Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) to over 62,000 families affected by Super Typhoon Carina in July 2024.

According to Philippines News Agency, the ECT payouts began on Tuesday in the municipalities of Abucay in Bataan and in Arayat and Candaba in Pampanga, with plans to continue until the first week of July. This initiative follows the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., emphasizing the need for sustained support beyond the provision of immediate relief goods. Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD's Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) highlighted the importance of monitoring and assisting affected families until they fully recover.

The DSWD remains committed to providing assistance to typhoon-affected residents, ensuring they do not feel isolated during the recovery process. Each beneficiary is slated to receive PHP5,625, intended to cover essential needs such as food, water, medicine, and other daily necessities.

To ensure the safety and smoothness of the distribution process, strict security measures have been implemented at the payout sites with assistance from the Provincial and Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices and the Philippine National Police. The DSWD spokesperson emphasized the importance of maintaining an orderly distribution, assuring that the payout sites are secured in collaboration with local governments and other agencies.

The ECT forms part of DSWD's disaster response efforts, serving as an adaptive strategy to bridge the gaps between immediate disaster relief, humanitarian response, and early recovery support through direct cash aid to disaster-affected families in areas declared under a state of calamity.