DSWD warns public vs fake cash aid program for graduates

The Department of Social Welfare and Development warns the public against a false cash assistance program that promises P5,000 to all graduating students in 2024. PHOTO FROM DSWD

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) warned the public on Tuesday against a false cash assistance program that promises P5,000 to all graduating students.

The agency was referring to a dubious Facebook page offering P5,000 in cash assistance to all students graduating in 2024 after registration of their personal information.

The DSWD, however, said no such program exists and that it would never ask for personal information under Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

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“Walang programa ang [DSWD] na nagbibigay ng P5,000 cash assistance para sa lahat ng mga estudyante na magtatapos ngayong taon,” it said in an advisory.

(The DSWD has no program distributing a P5,000 cash assistance to all graduating students this year.)

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“Nais naming bigyang-diin na kailanman ay hindi hihingin ng mga kawani ng DSWD ang inyong personal na impormasyon dahil ito ay labag sa Data Privacy Act of 2012,” it added.

(We would like to stress that DSWD personnel would never ask for your personal information because that would violate the Data Privacy Act of 2012.)

The DSWD urged the public to report similar pages and to only refer to the department’s official verified social media accounts for legitimate programs.