DAGUPAN CITY – A kilometer-long line of parents and students availing of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) educational assistance was observed in this city Saturday, Aug. 20.
This prompted Mayor Belen Fernandez here to ask the DSWD to transfer the payout at their satellite office to a more spacious area like the city plaza or Astrodome.
Fernandez expressed concern over the health of her constituents as a result of the long line and traffic on Arellano St. and AB Fernandez Ave. from the payout.
She said that social distancing and health and safety protocols are not being followed and that untoward incidents may happen because of the situation.
To prevent these, she ordered the City Social Welfare and Development Office to visit get a list of qualified students in all elementary and high schools here Monday, Aug. 22, to be submitted to the DSWD.
Fernandez said a schedule will be announced for college students in their barangays.
"I was informed that it is a first come, first served basis," Fernandez revealed in her Facebook page. “We just received our letter yesterday.”
“Ang mahabang pila ay patunay po lamang na marami ang mahihirap nating kababayan ang umaasa sa tulong na magmumula sa ating gobyerno. Kaya't marapat po lamang na mabigyan sila ng mas maayos, mabilis at ligtas na lugar upang sila'y makauwi na may suot na ngiti sa kanilang mga pamilya (The long line is proof that many are relying on government assistance. It is proper that they are provided a safe place so that they will go home with a smile),” she added.
A resident availing of assistance had been in line before dawn.
“Maaga kami dito na pumila, bandang alas kuwatro ng madaling araw, wala pa talagang kain, at ang mahirap pa nito ay high tide kaya po may tubig din sa pila at hindi maiwasan na magsiksikan sa nais na makakuha din ng tulong (We lined up early, around 4 a.m., we haven’t eaten anything, and lining up is difficult due to the high tide and it is very crowded).”