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DSWD employs ‘drop box mechanism’ on educ’l aid payout

By Che Palicte

August 26, 2022, 6:35 pm

<p><strong>DROP BOX MECHANISM.</strong> Lawyer Vanessa Goc-ong, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 11 (Davao region) director, speaks during a press briefing in Davao City on Friday (Aug. 26, 2022). Goc-ong said the agency has employed the 'drop box mechanism' for applicants of the educational assistance payout where applicants are required to drop their requirements at drop boxes inside the DSWD-11 and satellite offices to avoid overcrowding<em>. (PNA photo by Che Palicte)</em></p>

DROP BOX MECHANISM. Lawyer Vanessa Goc-ong, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 11 (Davao region) director, speaks during a press briefing in Davao City on Friday (Aug. 26, 2022). Goc-ong said the agency has employed the 'drop box mechanism' for applicants of the educational assistance payout where applicants are required to drop their requirements at drop boxes inside the DSWD-11 and satellite offices to avoid overcrowding. (PNA photo by Che Palicte)

DAVAO CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 11 (Davao region) has adopted the “drop box” scheme to avoid the influx of applicants on the educational assistance payout, an official said Friday.

In a press briefing here, DSWD-11 Director Vanessa Goc-ong said they have instructed the applicants to drop their requirements at available drop boxes inside the regional and satellite offices in the various provinces to avoid congestion.

Goc-ong said after applicants have submitted their requirements through the drop boxes, they have to wait for four to five days for a text message from DSWD-11 before going to the office in person.

The new distribution scheme was adopted after confusion, coupled with overcrowding, marred the DSWD’s first payout on August 20, with many of the applicants expressing disappointment over how the distribution was carried out.

“What happened last time is a bit inconvenient to the applicants. We have a problem with the venue, and it cannot cater to them due to the influx of people at that time,” Goc-ong, a lawyer, said.

She assured that the next payout on August 27 would have a bigger venue, as they have asked the help of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to facilitate the smooth process of the cash distribution through the deployment of security personnel.

The DILG will provide security assistance, through the Philippine National Police, at the payout sites to help ensure the safety of the students, their parents, guardians, and other beneficiaries, she said.

Meanwhile, Merlinda Paragamac, DSWD-11 assistant director for administration, said the drop box mechanism would be a big help for the agency to control the crowd.

She clarified that whoever received the text message should be the one to come to the office for further assessment.

“There will be a text advisory, and we have our master list, so, there is no way for bogus claimants to avail of the program,” Paragamac said.

At least 3,337 students in the Davao region received cash aid during the August 20 educational assistance payout. (PNA)

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