THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) yesterday said the second day of the distribution of the one-time educational stipend for indigent students was more successful and orderly amid the strict payout protocols imposed by the agency.
In an interview with radio DzBB late Saturday, DSWD Assistant Secretary Rommel Lopez said the distribution was remarkedly an improvement of the August 20 or first day distribution of the aid, which was marred by chaos after applicants arrived in payout centers in droves and some even with small kids.
Lopez said P175.623 million worth of educational cash aid was given to 69,997 students on the second Saturday of implementation of the department’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis (AICS) program.
The number of beneficiaries was lower than the target of 90,000 students.
Lopez said after a review of the online registration of students, the DSWD disqualified those who were already beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Program (4Ps) and those who were receiving various forms of educational assistance from local government units.
Some of those who went to the distribution centers were likewise not able to get their cash aids because they brought incomplete requirements, such as enrollment certificates that were unsigned by school principals.
Lopez reminded the public that the educational grant is limited to students in crisis who are not yet recipients of any government allowances or scholarship program, or the 4Ps. The one-time aid can be used for transportation, school uniform, books, and supplies for the students.
He likewise reiterated the pre-registration requirement and stressed that no walk-ins will be entertained.
To address appeals made by some applicants who said they have no online or internet access and cannot apply online, Lopez said DSWD field officers, with the assistance of local government units, held a pre-registration day in some areas, while in other areas, the distribution opened at 10 a.m. to accommodate those who already had schedules and received text confirmations.
The DSWD has allotted a P1.5 billion fund for the cash aid for students where qualified elementary students will get P1,000; qualified high school students, P2,000; qualified senior high school students, P3,000; and qualified vocational/college students, P4,000.
The department expects to distribute the cash aid to around 375,000 to 400,000 students-in-crisis this year. The aid is limited to a maximum of three students per family.
Students eligible for government support are breadwinners, working students, orphans, children of solo parents, children of jobless parents, children of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), as well as victims of calamity and abuse.
AYUDA
On proposals to end the provision of subsidies to poor families affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and to limit cash aids to those covered by the national identification system, Lopez said the DSWD is an implementing agency and will just follow what the national government, the Constitution, or the laws, would mandate them to do.
He said their mandate does not include commenting on ongoing law deliberations and making policy proposals.
He said they are focused on improving and ensuring efficient and effective delivery of services and aid to the public.
“Ang aming kailangang gawin ay ang pagbutihin ang sistema at tulungan ang national government dahil ito ang gusto ng pangulo, Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, ang maabot ang mas maraming kababayan na nangangailangan ng tulong… para mapabuti ang kapakanan ng mamamayang Pilipino (What we need to do is to improve our system and help the national government because this is what the President wants, President Bongbong Marcos, to reach more people who are in need of help… to uplift the lives of the Filipinos),” Lopez said.