LUCENA CITY – Despite the chaotic conduct of the distribution of aid due to the thousands of beneficiaries queueing up, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) region still managed to give out government cash aid to 3,620 poor students on Saturday (August 21).
The DSWD-Region IV-A in a report posted on their Facebook page on Saturday night said the students received their cash grants in seven payout/assessment centers in the region and its regional office in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
A total of P10.9 million was provided to 3,620 “students-in-crisis.”
“Each student received P1,000 to P4,000 depending on their grade level,” the DSWD said.
The DSWD will continue processing educational assistance in the next five Saturdays in various locations to reach more poor students across the region.
Under the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), its educational assistance is an aid for students to help them pay for their school needs such as school supplies and projects.
On Saturday, thousands of people, both parents and students, trooped to DSWD offices in various parts of the country to avail of the educational assistance program that was only announced on Thursday by Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo.
READ: Chaos mars DSWD study aid payout; Tulfo sorry
Tulfo publicly apologized as he acknowledged the confusion and disorder.
He announced that the distribution will now be led by local government units (LGUs), but still under the DSWD’s supervision “to avoid favoritism.”