Photo by Bombo Radyo CDO
MANILA, Philippines — Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Erwin Tulfo on Saturday apologized for the chaos that marked the first day of the agency’s distribution of cash aid for indigent students.
The first day of the cash aid distribution saw huge crowds flocking to the DSWD central and regional offices. A stampede was also reported in Zamboanga. Tulfo blamed miscommunication for the distribution mess.
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“I am sorry. I apologize po kung kayo ay hindi nabigyan ng cash ayuda,” Tulfo said in a press briefing.
(I am sorry. I apologize if you did not receive your cash aid.)
“I hope you understand po kasi binuksan natin ito sa mahihirap (because we open it for the poor people). I hope you would understand and give DSWD a chance … We are working very hard para po sa inyo, para po pantay-pantay (for you, to make distribution evenly),” he added.
Tulfo said the DSWD was made to be in-charge of the aid distribution so as not to repeat the alleged selective distribution of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) at the barangay level.
“Dati po kasi ayoko pong mangyari yung nangyari sa SAP na pinipili lang sabi ho ninyo. Reporter po ako noon na nakarating sa amin na pinipili, ayoko pong mamili,” the former journalist explained.
(I wouldn’t want what happened during the SAP distribution when you said recipients were selected. I was a reporter back then and I’ve heard that they were selecting beneficiaries.I don’t want that to happen.)
“Kaya ginawa ko po, DSWD na po ang kaharap ninyo. So here we are, may pila ho tayo, ang hinihingi ko lamang po ay konting pag-unawa ho at pasensya,” he added.
(That’s why I made DSWD the one in-charge. So here we are, we have queues, and all I ask is understanding and patience.)
The DSWD’s National Capital Region office has temporarily suspended distribution of the cash aid.
The DSWD on Friday announced that it will be distributing P500 million in cash assistance to indigent students.
Tulfo said the assistance will be P1,000 for elementary students, P2,000 for junior high school students, P3,000 for senior high school students, and P4,000 for college students or those taking vocational courses.
Up to three students per family can get the cash assistance, according to Tulfo.
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