DSWD: P300 million in education assistance distributed in two Saturdays

After two Saturdays of distribution, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it provided indigent learners with at least P300 million in educational assistance.

“P168 million ang naibigay as of 8 a.m. today (Sunday-August 28),"  DSWD Erwin Tulfo told Super Radyo dzBB. "Ang na-serve ay nasa 66,000 to 68,000 na mga estudyante. So kapag pinagsama po yung kahapon at noong isang Sabado, nasa P300 (million) plus na,”

(P168 million was given as of 8 a.m. today. Around 66,000 to 68,000 students have been served. So, when you combine yesterday and last Saturday, it's around P300 million plus.)

The DSWD earlier announced that up to three students per indigent family can receive cash aid worth P1,000 for elementary students, P2,000 for high school, P3,000 for senior high school, and P4,000 for a tertiary student enrolled in a college or technical-vocational school.

Up to 400,000 indigent students are expected to benefit from the educational cash support as P1.5 billion was earmarked for the program.

The first distribution day for the educational cash aid was marred by confusion and long queues as huge crowds flocked to the DSWD's main and regional offices.

On Saturday, DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Rommel Lopez said that the nationwide distribution of educational aid went smoothly, except for isolated hitches in some areas.

The financial assistance will be available in the DSWD central, regional, provincial, and other local offices starting on August 24 and every Saturday until September 24, 2022.

Those who want to receive the cash assistance were advised to register online or email DSWD at ciu.co@dswd.gov.ph.

The applicants can also visit the DSWD website and social media accounts for other details. — DVM, GMA News