The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has released new guidelines for the implementation of its Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) program to better address the growing number of disasters in the country.
According to Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, the updated guidelines aim to make the program more responsive to disaster relief and early recovery efforts for internally displaced persons (IDPs).
The cash assistance provided under the ECT program may be used to purchase nutritious food, hygiene items, medicine, clothing, and other essential supplies not included in the agency’s regular relief packages.
It may also cover hospital expenses, transportation, educational support, and livelihood needs—particularly for affected families who have yet to receive any form of assistance from other agencies.
Under the new guidelines, the release of ECT assistance will depend on three key factors:
- Declaration of a state of calamity by the President, provincial board, or local government unit (LGU);
- Market operability in the affected area; and
- The findings of a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) report.
The DSWD emphasized that these changes are part of its ongoing effort to ensure timely and efficient delivery of aid to disaster-stricken communities.
(PHOTO COURTESY: DSWD)
