BENEFICIARIES. Department of Social Welfare and Development workers interview students obtaining educational assistance at the agency’s main office in Batasan Hills, Quezon City on Saturday (Aug. 27, 2022). The Department of the Interior and Local Government is assisting in the payout to avoid a repeat of the large crowd that flocked to the department last week. (PNA photo by Rico H. Borja)
MANILA – Malacañang on Saturday encouraged applicants in Metro Manila to register online to avail of the educational assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
In a Facebook post, the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) shared a link of the form that needs to be filled out for the payout of the educational aid for indigent students.
"Para sa mga kababayan nating nasa National Capital Region (NCR) na nais mag-apply sa educational assistance na pinapangasiwaan ng Department of Social Welfare and Development NCR, mangyari lamang na mag-register sa link na ito (For NCR residents who want to apply for education assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development 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.
In a separate statement also on Saturday, Assistant Secretary Rommel Lopez, DSWD spokesperson, said the department and the Department of the Interior and Local Government would release guidelines to accommodate those who have no access to the Internet and gadgets.
Lopez likewise 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."
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.
The DSWD distributes cash aid worth PHP1,000 for elementary students, PHP2,000 for those in high school, PHP3,000 for those in senior high school, and PHP4,000 for those in college or taking up vocational courses.
The assistance will be distributed every Saturday until September 24. (PNA)
