Senior citizens, patients among those waiting outside DSWD for cash aid

Senior citizens and people with illnesses were part of the huge crowds that endured hours of waiting outside several offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in hopes to seek assistance from the government.

According to Jun Veneracion’s report on “24 Oras” on Thursday, long queues of people formed outside the DSWD offices in Manila and Quezon City as the agency completes its backlogs in aid distribution.

Some of those in line came from nearby provinces while others have been staying in the area since midnight.

“Nahihirapan ako huminga puno ang tyan ko ng tubig... Kailangan po kasi walang makuhanan na pang dialysis,” Redilynne Lacanlale, a dialysis patient, said.

(I’m having breathing difficulties because of my stomach. I need the cash assistance for my dialysis.)

A 76-year-old named Gliceria Cortez waiting on the street outside said that she needed assistance to pay for her maintenance medicines and lab tests, but she did not make the cut-off and has had to keep waiting another day. 

"Siyempre, masakit sa dibdib," she said. "Malungkot, nagbabakasakali lang."

The DSWD explained that the long lines at their payout and processing centers stemmed from their backlogs in disbursing outright cash assistance from early January due to lack of funding.

To resolve the issue, the agency said it is eyeing to expand its daily slots and open more satellite centers near its offices.

“Sa Metro Manila, magbubukas tayo...siguro give me 45 to 60 days na [magdagdag ng] mga satellite offices pa. So ibig sabihin, kung ikaw taga-certain area ka, doon ka sa designated mo na payout area para hindi lahat nako-concentrate sa Central Office,” said DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian.

(We are planning to add more satellite offices in Metro Manila in 45 to 60 days. This means if you are from a certain area, a designated payout area will be opened there.)

Gatchalian also called on senior citizens and sick individuals to refrain from falling in line, saying their authorized representatives may receive their financial aid as long as they have complete requirements. — Sundy Locus/BM, GMA Integrated News