The distribution of educational cash assistance by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to students-in-crisis which began last Aug. 20 has continued on its fourth Saturday, Sept. 10.
According to the DSWD, a total of 224 payout venues across six regions were opened to attend to 116,695 students-in-crisis with 9,394 target in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo shared in an announcement that around two million individuals have already registered for the cash assistance, prompting them to close the online application today.
DSWD Spokesperson ASec. Romel Lopez said they will still process the applications submitted.
“After noon, kung hindi na po talaga sila aabot sa September 24, ginagawa na po namin ang mga mekanismo para sa pagpasok naman po ng ating mga mambabatas ay masiguro namin na sila’y mabibigyan ng pagkakataon,” he said.
The DSWD is set to meet with lawmakers in the coming week to discuss the continuation of the program to be implemented per district.
NEWS UPDATE: Bilang ng mga benepisyaryo sa ilalim ng Educational Assistance Program ng gobyerno, umabot na sa 343,684 as of 6:00 p.m., ayon sa DSWD.
Nakalap ang datos na ito mula August 20 hanggang September 10, 2022. | via Mela Lesmoras
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“Ang usapan po nina Sec. Erwin at ni House Speaker Martin Romualdez, tutulong sila para maipagpatuloy po itong ating pamamahagi ng educational assistance,” Lopez said.
“Asahan po natin na bago po matapos ang ating last day of payouts, September 24, ay naka-ready na rin po ang mechanics para naman sa pagpapatuloy ng ating educational payouts sa tulong po ng Kongreso,” he added.
The official assured that DSWD will continue to provide other forms of assistance to those in need in the form of livelihood aid, food, medical, and burial help.
The DSWD is set to complete on Sept. 24 the payout of the educational assistance that grants indigent elementary pupils with P1,000, high school students with P2,000, senior high school students with P3,000, and college students with P4,000. – Report from Mela Lesmoras/AG