Over P100M in educational aid distributed, so far —DSWD

On the third day of scheduled distribution of the educational cash aid, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said that more than P100 million has so far been paid out to over 42,000 beneficiaries.

According to Vonne Aquino's report on "24 Oras Weekend", despite DSWD's announcement that walk-ins are not allowed to claim the cash aid, many still took their chances trooped to DSWD central office. 

Citing DSWD data, the report said that as of 2 p.m. on Saturday, over P100M was paid out to to over 42,000 beneficiaries.

In Casiguran, Aurora, some senior citizens queued up for the payout but were sent home since they had no confirmed schedule.

Other walk-in applicants insisted that they submitted an online registration but received no text confirmation. Some argued they could not open the website, but the DSWD said that the technical issue is just temporary.

Meanwhile, the cash distribution was canceled in Batanes, Ilocos Sur, and Tanay, Rizal, due to bad weather conditions. Authorities said they would resume distribution on another day.

For those who do not have gadgets or access online, the DSWD is conducting an off-site payout.

They are currently cooperating with the local government units to find the poorest of the poor  to distribute the  education assistance, which is ongoing in Calabarozon, Mimaropa, and Western Visayas.

DSWD said they are trying to speed up the distribution, noting that online registration is open until September 25, 2022. —LBG, GMA News