THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has allocated P500 million to provide cash aid to indigent students to help them buy school supplies for the resumption of classes next week.
In a press conference on Thursday, Social Welfare Secretary Erwin T. Tulfo disclosed the fund for the initiative will be sourced from their P42-billion budget for their Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
“This program is aimed to help our indigent students all over the country, which means to say that children coming from poor families will be given cash assistance to buy their school supplies or whatever that they need in school such as school supplies, school fees, uniform, shoes, etc.,” Tulfo said.
The program will run from August 20, 2022 to September 24, 2022.
Tulfo noted that qualified beneficiaries or their parents must present enrollment certificate and school ID to DSWD office to avail themselves of the following cash aid: P1,000 for those elementary; P2,000 for those in high school; P3,000 for those in senior high school; and P4,000 for those in college or vocational course.
DSWD removed some of the other documentary requirements for the program such as barangay certificate of indigency to make it easier for the applicants.
Tulfo noted he received complaints that some local government officials were being selective in the issuance of the certification.
But without the certification, Tulfo admitted, it will be difficult for DSWD to verify if the applicants are indeed indigent.
“That is the risk that we have to take…I just want to give the [cash assistance] ASAP (as soon as possible),” Tulfo said.
Applicants for the cash aid are advised to first set an appointment via email before they go to the DSWD office to submit their requirements, but Tulfo said they will also accommodate walk-in applications.
He said each family could have a maximum three children applying for coverage of the financial assistance.
DSWD urged the beneficiaries of the programs to use the cash aid to buy school supplies and not for other purposes.