THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) paid out more than P1.247 billion nationwide for its one-time educational assistance to indigent or “in crisis” students.
Data showed 503,219 students benefited from the educational assistance as of September 18.
During the September 17 payout, P259.341 million was given out to 106,518 students.
The department started the distribution of the cash aid last August 20. The last payout date is on September 24.
DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesman Romel Lopez on Saturday said they are still assessing if they would extend the program because of the high number of applicants.
Lopez said, though, that an extension would depend on the availability of funds or if there is still anything left from the P1.5 billion allocation.
Lopez said that should the DSWD extend the distribution of the cash assistance, they will no longer reopen the online registration, which has already reached more than two million.
DSWD originally expected to distribute the cash aid to around 375,000 to 400,000 students-in-crisis this year.
The financial aid is limited to a maximum of three students per family and is distributed as P1,000 for qualified elementary students; P2,000 for qualified high school students; P3,000 for qualified senior high school students; and P4,000 for qualified vocational/college students
The DSWD said it will coordinate with the House of Representatives for the possible adoption by the district representatives of the students who did not qualify or made it to the DSWD’s educational assistance program.
