Merlyn Acibar, a widow with 10 children, expressed delight and gratitude after receiving P3,040 in cash assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Office.
Merlyn Acibar, expressed delight and gratitude for the P3,040 emergemcy cash assistance she received from the Department of Social Welfare and Development. (Photo: PIA Northern Samar)
Acibar is one of the recipients of the emergency cash transfer provided by the government to those affected by flooding brought by shear lines in November 2023.
According to Lucia G. Balantad, the Disaster Response Management division chief, the team disbursed P3,040 as an emergency cash transfer to each of the 16,424 families, representing 92 percent of the 17,928 family beneficiaries in an 8-day operation.
Distribution of emergency cash transfer at Catarman Covered Court. (Photo courtesy of Catarman Municipal Information Office)
Some P4.5 million was left unclaimed by 1,504 beneficiaries who still need to receive cash assistance.
According to the Catarman Municipal Information Office, DSWD released around P50 million fund to flood-affected families in Catarman.
DSWD was only given until March 8 to release the money, after which they had to return the unclaimed funds to the central office.
Catarman Mayor Antet Rosales expressed his gratitude to the DSWD for the cash assistance, which helped in the recovery of those greatly affected by flooding.
First District Rep. Paul R. Daza also expressed gratitude to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian for the prompt response.
Gatchalian visited the province just days after the disaster and saw the actual situation and extent of the flooding caused by the shear lines.
“Ako ay namamangha at nagpapasalamat sa gobyerno sa madaliang pagtugon at pamimigay ng tulong lalo na sa amin na mga mahihirap,” Acibar said.
(I am amazed and grateful to the government for the quick response and distribution of assistance, especially to us who are poor.) (AND, PIA Northern Samar)
