BACOLOD CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Negros Island Region (DSWD-NIR) is preparing to roll out the third tranche of the Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) totaling nearly P1.2 billion to victims of Typhoon Tino in the region.
DSWD-NIR Director Arwin Razo stated in an interview that the agency is currently processing the necessary documents to release the funds allocated for severely and partially affected families.
“Once we resume the ECT, we aim to complete the distribution by the first quarter of 2026, as mandated by our secretary [Rex Gatchalian],” he said. He added that the agency targets to begin the distribution by the second week of February.
Razo disclosed that the third tranche will prioritize the most severely affected localities, particularly in the 4th and 5th districts of Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.
With an allocation of nearly P1.2 billion, almost 20,000 families who completely lost their homes due to the typhoon will receive assistance of not less than P10,000 each. Meanwhile, approximately 182,000 families with slightly damaged houses will receive not less than P5,000 each.
The assistance amounts were determined based on the regional minimum wage, Razo explained.
He further clarified that those who have already received aid in previous tranches are no longer eligible for the next distribution.
It was also noted that Bacolod City was prioritized during the first and second tranches, with about P230 million already released to victims in the highly urbanized city. (Richard T. Caballero Jr. via tvds)