MANILA -- Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Saturday announced  that the Emergency Cash Transfer for families affected by the continued unrest of Mayon Volcano is now being implemented.

In a news forum in Quezon City, Gatchalian said the cash aid to around 6,000 families in evacuation centers will continue.

“As we speak right now, the Emergency Cash Transfer is happening in Bicol in Albay. This is their first month that they will get it, next month they will get it and upon instructions of the President, we will sustain it for as long as they need it,” he noted.

The cash assistance, which is around P12,300, will address other needs of the displaced families that are not typically included in the release of DSWD’s Familly Food Packs (FFPs).

At the onset of the Mayon Volcano unrest on June 2023, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. directed concerned government agencies to prepare for a 90-day relief aid to affected families, which is the estimated maximum period of unrest of the volcano.

Gatchalian highlighted the immediate response of the government during the calamity, where close to 100,000 food packs were promptly provided to affected families.

“Noong sumabog iyong bulkan, kaagad we have close to 100,000 food packs on the ground kaya nga wala tayong naririnig na may kakulangan ng pagkain doon,” he said.

Citing the President’s order, Gatchalian said they have collaborated with local government units to establish a rotational system for the distribution of food packs.

The national government covered the requirements for the first 15 days for 26,000 families within the six-kilometer preemptive evacuation site.

The provincial government meanwhile took over the responsibility in the subsequent six days.

The cycle is now on its second round of 15-day distributions, with goods being sourced from DSWD field office in Bicol.

“Ngayon, nasa second round na tayo ng 15 days, so hawak na rin iyon ng mga LGUs galing sa DSWD, iikot lang iyon nang iikot kasi mukhang protracted si Mayon Volcano, baka tumagal pa ito ng 90 days, ayon sa mga eksperto,” Gatchalian said.

“So, iyong cycle na iyon ay tuloy-tuloy lang, pero iyong mga goods ay hindi na nanggagaling sa Maynila, nasa mga field office na natin,” he added. (PCO)