Paracale: A total of 9,198 families affected by Super Typhoon Uwan in Paracale, Camarines Norte, have begun receiving financial assistance amounting to PHP50.1 million. This aid comes from the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5) under the Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) program, designed to assist families in recovering from the disaster.

According to Philippines News Agency, Claudio Villareal, chief of the Disaster Response and Management Division of DSWD Bicol, stated that the payout is scheduled within the month. Of the families receiving aid, 8,890 classified as slightly affected will receive PHP5,287 each, while 308 severely affected families will be given PHP10,263 each. Villareal emphasized that the identification and validation of beneficiaries were carried out in close coordination with local government units (LGUs) to ensure that only those who qualify receive assistance.

"This is to ensure that the assistance is provided to those who were actually affected by the disaster and who meet the established criteria for the Emergency Cash Transfer," Villareal explained. He further elaborated that the ECT aims to help disaster-affected families address their most urgent needs while supporting their transition from emergency response to long-term recovery.

"Beyond helping them cope during the emergency, the assistance may also support their recovery, such as repairing or restoring portions of their homes, replacing essential household appliances, or addressing other urgent needs brought about by the disaster," he added.

Villareal also highlighted the crucial partnership between the Philippine government and the Asian Development Bank in enhancing disaster response efforts. "The partnership with the Asian Development Bank is significant because it provides additional support for the government's disaster response efforts, particularly in delivering timely cash assistance to disaster-affected families," he noted. He clarified that the current ADB-funded grant is specific to Camarines Norte.

"Camarines Norte has been identified as the beneficiary province. The assistance under the grant is intended for qualified disaster-affected individuals in the province, based on the magnitude of impact from Typhoon Uwan as reported in the Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC)," Villareal stated.

The agency affirmed its continued collaboration with LGUs in implementing the program, as part of the government's efforts to expedite the recovery of communities affected by weather disturbances.