Disturbed by the swarms of students flocking to the nearest payout centers, marked with disorder, confusion, and long queues, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) called for cities and municipalities to help in distributing the agency’s education aid assistance.
DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo announced on Saturday he was in the process of forging a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
He said such MOA would enable a more spread-out distribution network, instead of going to DSWD offices, students would go to their local governments.
“I am sorry. I apologize if you were not able to receive cash aid. But we did not say we will give everyone cash aid within today,” Tulfo said in his press conference, addressing the disappointment of applicants.
The DSWD did not expect that countless students would come in droves to their offices on Saturday.
In the Bicol Region, online media outfit Bicol Express News reported the “ayuda” payout in Sorsogon was marked with confusion, disorderly long queues, numerous complaints, fatigue, hunger among students waiting for hours while keeping in line.
The online media outfit described the DSWD “ayuda” cash aid distribution as having “stirred up a hornets’ nest” .
DSWD is distributing cash aid to elementary students from indigent families with P1,000 each; high school students, P2,000: senior high school students, P3,000; and college students, P4,000.
Only up to three students per family can avail in the six-week program, which has been scheduled on Saturdays, from August 20 until September 24.