DSWD vows emergency cash programs for Egay-affected families

MANILA, Philippines – Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian assured families affected by  Typhoon Egay that the government will implement emergency cash transfers and cash-for-work programs to assist their recovery.

Gatchalian said these programs will be implemented in line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive to the DSWD, which is the early recovery and rehabilitation of cyclone-affected individuals.

“Part of the President’s instruction is for the DSWD to enable the early recovery and rehabilitation of affected families and individuals through the provision of emergency cash transfer and cash-for-work, which will start soon,” said Gatchalian in a statement on Saturday.

According to the DSWD chief, these programs can run for at least 30 to 45 days, adding that they will provide alternative livelihood to Egay-affected families.

Apart from the implementation of these programs, Gatchalian noted that he has also ordered all DSWD Regional Directors to ensure the “swift and unhampered” delivery of assistance to affected communities.

“Ang initial salvo is family food packs. Ang instruction ng Pangulo — walang residente na apektado ang dapat magutom pero hindi dyan nagwawakas ang instruction ng ating Pangulo. Nag- instruct din siya na simulan na namin ang aming financial assistance para makabangon muli ang ating mga residente, para yung mga naantala ‘yung hanap buhay ay maayos muli ‘yung kanilang mga kabuhayan,” said Gatchalian.

(The initial salvo is family food packs. The President’s instruction is that no affected resident should go hungry, but our President’s instruction does not end there. He also instructed that we begin our financial assistance so that our residents can get back on their feet so that those whose livelihoods have been delayed can get their livelihoods fixed again.)

President Marcos, along with Gatchalian, led the distribution of food packs and cash assistance in Bangued town in Abra as well as in Laoag, Ilocos Norte on Saturday, July 29.

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