DSWD will work with LGUs in education aid payout — Sec. Tulfo

The Department of Social Welfare and Development will work with the Department of the Interior and Local Government in the distribution of education assistance through the local government units (LGUs), after a number of beneficiary students and parents failed to get the money on Saturday.

"We will have a memorandum of agreement with the DILG for the LGUs to assist us, so that people need not go to the DSWD main office but to their respective cities or municipalities for the payout," Tulfo said in Filipino at a media briefing.

"Starting next week, local government units will assist in the distribution of education assistance. If you are from Caloocan, the payout will be in Caloocan, if you are from Quezon City, the payout will be from Quezon City. But this will be managed by DSWD personnel," he added.

Long lines of students and parents, or guardians were seen outside DSWD offices at the start of the distribution of the education assistance.

Despite the announcement that the cash distribution will also be done in DSWD regional, provincial, and satellite offices, Tulfo said people from other areas including Mandaluyong City, Bulacan, and Cavite headed to the main office in Quezon City.

Tulfo said President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. called him after receiving a report on the situation of the cash payout in Quezon City.

"I explained it to him, I said 'Sir ang problema po lamang ay dito sa central office namin. Pero sa region we have already contained the situation. And then he asked me 'Why? Dumami ba ang mga nangangailangan ng tulong? Bakit nagkaganito?"

(Sir, the only problem is at the central office. But we have already contained the situation in the regions. And then he asked me 'Why? Are there more people in need of help? Why did this happen?')

Tulfo said students switched to online learning in 2020 and 2021, while the education aid was limited to Unconditional Cash Transfer Program beneficiaries, and grandchildren of those under the social pension program in 2018 and 2019.

"Sabi niya 'Bakit dumami 'yan?' Sabi ko 'Sir in-open ko ho. Pati jeepney driver, cigarette vendor, tricycle driver puwede pong mag-apply provided na hanggang tatlong anak lamang po at sila ay in crisis, kaya ho dumami," Tulfo said of his conversation with Marcos.

(He said "Why did the number of beneficiaries increase?" I said, Sir, I opened it to jeepney drivers, cigarette vendors, tricycle drivers. They can apply provided that they only have up to three children and they are in crisis.)

"And then the President understood. He said, 'Bantayan, tutukan (watch and, monitor the process).' And he suggested 'Gusto mo bang humingi ng tulong sa DILG? (Do you want to ask help from the DILG?)' I said 'Yes sir.' He said 'I think mas maganda 'pag tulungan ka ng DILG (It is better if the DILG will help you).' So that's what we're going to do.'"

Those who wish to avail of the assistance only need to bring their enrollment certificate and their school ID.

Tulfo said he does not see the need for an extension as six Saturdays, which will be until September 24, will be enough time for the distribution of the education aid.

However, the DSWD is open to an extension "if the need arises."

Tulfo said the agency has "enough funds" to provide beneficiaries with the aid.

The DSWD chief also apologized as some were not able to receive the financial assistance on Saturday.

Tulfo said that they "will do better" next time.

“Ang amin pong nakikitang solusyon…ilalapit na po namin sa inyo ang educational assistance sa tulong po ng mga taga-city hall at munisipyo na malapit sa inyong tirahan,” he said in a Facebook post.

(Our solution will be to provide educational assistance with the assistance of personnel from your city hall and municipality.)

He said they would call or text to give the schedule for the release of cash assistance. —with Richa Noriega/LBG/VBL, GMA News