Groups of teachers on Saturday, Aug. 20, decried the deluge of students and parents at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) asking for financial assistance merely two days before the start of classes.
“Is truly a deplorable sight,” said Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines Chairperson Vladimer Quetua referring to the chaotic first day of DSWD’s education assistance distribution. “It also highlights the glaring need of aid for Filipino families,” he added.
Meanwhile, Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) National Chairperson Benjo Basas noted that what happened in the DSWD Quezon City office and other regions proves how difficult life is for many Filipinos.
“Nagpapatunay lamang ito na talagang mahirap ang buhay ng marami sa ating mga kababayan (This only proves that life is really difficult for many of our countrymen,” Basas said.
Inefficient system
The teachers’ groups pointed out that the confusion and chaos in the distribution of education aid can be attributed to the “lack of a proper distribution system” and late announcement.
“Dapat ay mas maaga ito ibinigay dahil milyon ang nangangailangan ng tulong (It should have been given earlier because millions of people need help),” Quetua said.
The first day of classes for School Year (SY) 2022-2023 in public schools will start on Aug. 22. The DSWD’s aid distribution is scheduled from Aug. 20 until Sept. 24.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2022/08/18/dswd-to-distribute-one-time-cash-assistance-to-indigent-students-beginning-saturday/
“Ngayon lang sila mamimigay ng ayuda eh pasukan na sa Lunes (They're giving the aid just now when classes are scheduled to start on Monday),” he said. “Malamang dadagsa talaga ang tao sa tindi ng krisis (It is likely that people will really flock to the intensity of the crisis),” he added.
Quetua also lamented that the “inefficient” distribution system also became an additional burden on teachers who are preparing for the school opening next week.
“Ang mga guro, sa gitna ng paghahabol sa last-minute school preps, naubos ang oras sa dami ng magulang na humihingi ng certificate of enrolment (Teachers who are busy doing last last-minute school preps are also running out of time with the number of parents asking for certificates of enrollment,” he added.
Quetua also criticized DSWD for failing to come up with an “efficient and safe way” to reach out to the families of the beneficiaries.
DSWD, he added, did not only subject families to humiliation but also exposed them to Covid-19 infection.
Meanwhile, Basas stressed that “band-aid solutions” such as the distribution of small aid will not help solve the root of the problem which is poverty.
“Higit na kailangan pa rin ng ating mga mamamayan ang regular na trabaho at sapat na kabuhayan at malaking tulong sana dito ang epektibo, de-kalidad at libreng edukasyon sa lahat ng antas para sa lahat ng mamamayan (Our people still need regular work and sufficient livelihood and effective, and high-quality and free education at all levels for all citizens can contribute to this),” he added.
RELATED STORY:
https://mb.com.ph/2022/08/20/tulfo-asks-for-understanding-after-disorderly-distribution-of-dswds-educational-assistance/