Bacolod City has begun distributing the second wave of financial assistance to families whose homes were ravaged by Typhoon Tino. Mayor Greg Gasataya confirmed that the funds for this phase have been successfully downloaded to the city government.
Second Phase of Aid Distribution Underway
Following the completion of the first batch of Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) payouts for numbered barangays on December 17, 2025, the city is now moving forward with the second phase. This round covers beneficiaries residing from Barangay Granada to Barangay Vista Alegre.
The distribution is a joint effort led by the City's Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) in close coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development–Negros Island Region (DSWD-NIR).
Scale of Damage and Swift Fund Release
Official data reveals the extensive impact of the typhoon, with a total of 44,463 families affected across Bacolod. The initial batch of ECT assistance reached 3,430 families with totally destroyed houses and 14,823 families with partially damaged homes.
Mayor Gasataya expressed profound gratitude to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian for the agency's prompt action. "I am very grateful to the agency because Bacolod is the first in the entire region to receive the ECT for those affected by Typhoon Tino," Gasataya stated, highlighting how the swift release has accelerated recovery for displaced families.
Addressing Concerns and a Warning Against Corruption
The mayor also tackled issues concerning the master list of beneficiaries. He clarified that missing names were primarily due to technical encoding issues, such as duplicate entries causing system errors. Affected residents are advised to coordinate directly with their barangay halls for validation instead of relying on unofficial sources.
Gasataya issued a stern warning against any form of corruption in the aid distribution. He emphasized that beneficiaries are entitled to the full grant amount—P10,325 for totally damaged houses and P5,369 for partially damaged ones—and that no processing fees are authorized.
"I am reminding everyone that you have zero obligation to give a single centavo to anyone claiming to have 'processed' your papers," the mayor warned. "If we receive documented proof of anyone taking a cut from these grants, the City will not hesitate to file criminal cases."
City Administrator Atty. Mark Steven Mayo and DSSD Department Head Dr. Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga are working together to resolve remaining technical issues and ensure a thorough review of all tagged entries, guaranteeing no legitimate victim is excluded from receiving crucial support.
