DSWD: Education aid payout on Saturday generally smooth

The distribution of educational assistance to beneficiary students in the Department of Social Welfare and Development-designated payout centers resumed Saturday "generally" smoothly, except for isolated hitches in some areas across the country.

DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Rommel Lopez said Saturday that the nationwide distribution of educational aid went smoothly.

Earlier, DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo announced that the cash distribution will be done in six Saturdays starting August 20,  ending on September 24.

However, there were some hitches in the process on the second Saturday of the payout, Lopez said.

Due to the overwhelming number of people -- mostly walk-ins -- in Boac, Marinduque, the DSWD, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the local government unit (LGU) decided to cancel the payout.

“Gayunpaman, ito ay tinitingnan ng DSWD Central Office na mga isolated places lang naman po, kasi, overall po sa bansa ay maayos po yung pamamahagi ng educational payout na nangyare. So tinitingnan po natin yung mga isolated situation in some places, pero sinisiguro po ng DSWD na aayusin din po natin yung sistema dito po sa mga apektadong lugar,” said Lopez.

Due to some confusion and long queues last August 20 -- the first of the six Saturdays designated for the payout -- the DSWD asked for the help of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in requesting the LGUs for technical assistance.

Earlier in the day, some beneficiaries fainted when commotion ensued at the payout center in Odiangan, Romblon.

Beneficiaries trooped to the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City despite prior advice that only those who received confirmation to come over would be accommodated.

DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos also visited the payout site at the National Vocational Rehabilitation Center in Quezon City.

Meanwhile, according to DSWD data, 42,589 beneficiaries had been served, and P106,331,000 had been disbursed. —LBG, GMA News