DILG asks DSWD for list of education aid beneficiaries

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday said it had requested the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to provide a list of indigent students included in the educational assistance program.

Interviewed on Unang Balita, DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos said he met with DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo to discuss the agencies' partnership for the distribution of educational aid.

"What is important ay 'yung listahan ay manggagaling sa DSWD (is that the list will come from the DSWD)," Abalos said.

On the part of the DILG, Abalos said it would assist in providing venues, as well as logistical support, including the deployment of Philippine National Police personnel, for the payout.

"Depende kung gaano kadami itong ibibigay na listahan, kung ito ba'y kakasya sa isang city hall, or if not probably per district. Or if not, siguro per barangay," he said.

(The venues will depend on how many lists would be provided. If the beneficiaries would fit at a city hall, or we could do it per district. If not, we will do it per barangay.)

"Ang importante ay maibigay agad nila 'yung listahan (What is important is that the DSWD will be able to provide the list soonest)," Abalos added.

The DILG meanwhile proposed that the distribution would be done alphabetically.

"Napag-usapan nga namin, kamukha ng natutunan namin noong araw noong pandemya, para ma-limit, siguro gawing alphabetical," Abalos said.

(We have discussed this. Just like what we have learned during the pandemic, let us make the distribution alphabetical to limit the number of people.)

Abalos also said those who registered online would be granted their education aid request.

Tulfo on Monday vowed to organize a better distribution system for their cash assistance program for indigent students after the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) was criticized for what occurred during the first day of the payout.

Tulfo reiterated that what happened last Saturday, August 20, when huge crowds of students and parents were seen outside DSWD offices, was a “tactical mistake” on the agency’s part.

Due to this, he said the DSWD would implement a “big adjustment” starting next Saturday, August 27, to better serve their beneficiaries. The educational assistance is set to be given every Saturday until September 24.

“Next week, ipangako namin, mas maayos na ho itong sistema [we promise that the procedure will be better next week],” Tulfo said. — Jamil Santos/DVM, GMA News