Manila, March 24 -- Over 3,500 families from two provinces in the Bicol Region started receiving unconditional cash grants totaling PHP18.3 million on Monday through the Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

In an interview, DSWD-5 Director Norman Laurio reported that the 3,563 beneficiaries are from Sorsogon and Camarines Norte provinces.

Of the PHP18.3 million, families in Camarines Norte received PHP13.4 million, while Sorsogon received PHP4.9 million.

"The recipients included families affected by Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Kristine (international name: Trami) in the towns of Irosin and Casiguran in Sorsogon, as well as Paracale, Daet, and San Vicente in Camarines Norte. T...