THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has already distributed more than half a billion pesos worth of educational assistance to half of its targeted beneficiaries.
Social Welfare Assistant Secretary Rommel Lopez said that as of the third day payout of the cash subsidy for indigent students, 222,709 beneficiaries nationwide have received a total of P565.077 million worth of cash aid.
The DSWD is targeting to provide the one-time financial subsidy to about 400,000 students poor all over the country. The agency has allotted P1.5 billion for the program.
Lopez, in an interview with DzBB, said 89,736 students — or 9,000 more than their targeted 80,000 students — received their cash assistance worth P225.372 million last Saturday.
Lopez said the payouts all over the country were more orderly despite the stubbornness of some applicants who still tried to “walk in” or went to the payout sites despite not getting any text message about their online application.
He said at least three payout centers were likewise closed due to heavy rains.
DSWD records show that 33.13 percent or 73,825 individuals who have received their educational aid were college or vocational students who received P4,000 each, for a total of more than P294.557 million.
About 30.72 percent or 66,451 elementary students received the P1,000 cash aid which amounted to P77.793 million, while 22.14 percent or 49,335 high school students benefited from the P2,000 cash aid or a total of P98.648 million.
DSWD also said that 31,229 senior high school students, or 14.01 percent, received P3,000 each, for a total of more than P94 million.
Among the regions, Western Visayas (Region VI) has the highest number of beneficiaries in the last three payout days, with 26,565 students for a total of P74.38 million; followed by Calabarzon (Region IV-A) with 19,187 beneficiaries, P43.42 million; and Central Luzon (Region III) with 19,052 beneficiaries, P41.016 million worth of aid.
Lopez reiterated that not all students submitted their online applications and received text confirmation will receive the cash aid. He said the text confirmation only means that they are qualified for the DSWD interview and assessment which will determine if they are eligible and eventually, will receive the aid on the same day.
He likewise reminded beneficiaries to use the cash aid responsibly and for worthwhile things, such as for school supplies, uniforms and books.
