By Edalyn B. Acta
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed more than P105 million in cash to Capiz sugarcane farmers, whose livelihood suffered from the infestation of Red-Striped Soft Scale Insect (RSSI).
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and DSWD Western Visayas Regional Director Joselito Estember led the first day of cash aid distribution last September 29, 2026.
Under the Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) program, the DSWD released cash aid of P10,325 each to 10,190 sugarcane farmers in the affected municipalities.
The ECT is part of the response by the national government under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. following the August 2026 state of calamity declaration in the province due to the RSSI infestation outbreak.
The Municipality of Pilar received the biggest fund for ECT with P41.86 million given to 4,055 sugarcane farmers.
The DSWD also released more than P30 million each to 2,914 sugarcane farmers in President Roxas and 2,910 sugarcane farmers in Maayon.
A total of 315 sugarcane farmers in Dao received more than P3 million.
Gatchalian also checked the status of key DSWD programs in Capiz including the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) when he sat during a focus group discussion with parent-leaders in the Municipality of Pontevedra.
Gatchalian also visited the Barangay Health Station in Barangay Cabungahan, Maayon. This was built under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan–Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS).
Lastly, Gatchalian visited the Bayi Berde Artisan Handicraft in President Roxas. The makers of native handicrafts are beneficiaries of the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
Local officials including Governor Fredenil Castro, 1st District Rep. Howard Guintu and the mayors also met with Gatchalian.
