Except for isolated hitches in some areas across the country, the second weekend of the distribution of educational assistance to beneficiary students of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at its designated payout centers on Saturday resumed “generally” smoothly.
In a statement, Assistant Secretary Rommel Lopez, DSWD spokesperson, said the nationwide distribution went smoothly but announced the cancellation of the distribution of assistance in Boac, Marinduque “due to the growing number of walk-in applicants.”
“This involves avoiding potential disorders and adhering to safety and health protocols. The DSWD Central Office and our field offices reiterated that we discourage walk-ins in today’s (Saturday) payout to comply with safety and health protocols,” he said.
“We ask for the cooperation of all in the proper functioning of today’s payout.”
This developed as Malacañang encouraged applicants in Metro Manila to register online to avail of the cash assistance from the DSWD, where people still queued as early as Friday night one week after the disorderly education aid distribution saw scores hurt in stampedes.
Lopez likewise said the DSWD and the Department of the Interior and Local Government would release guidelines to accommodate those who have no access to the Internet and gadgets.
Despite the Social Welfare department’s earlier announcement that walk-ins would no longer be accommodated in the financial assistance to indigent students, many still took their chances and flocked to the agency’s central office in Quezon City.
The DSWD distributes cash aid worth P1,000 for elementary students, P2,000 for those in high school, P3,000 for those in senior high school, and P4,000 for those in college or taking up vocational courses.
The assistance will be distributed every Saturday until September 24.
In a Facebook post, the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) shared a link to the form that needs to be filled out for the payout of educational aid for poor students.
“For NCR residents who want to apply for education assistance from the DSWD NCR, register at this link https://forms.gle/4KohFYnbamsyiNGJ6,” the OPS said.
It also advised the applicants to visit the official Facebook page of the DSWD and its field offices for more updates.
To ensure a more orderly payout of the educational assistance for poor students, DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo announced on Wednesday that the aid would be released only to those who registered online.
Lopez reiterated that those with text confirmation after online registration would be covered for payment.
The DSWD will contact the qualified students through calls and text messages to inform them about the schedule of distribution.
The DSWD educational assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation will be given to “students-in-crisis” to help defray costs of school tuition fees, school supplies, transportation allowance, and other school-related expenses.