Pasig LGU to educational aid beneficiaries: No guidelines yet from DSWD
The Pasig City local government said on Sunday, Aug. 21, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) - National Office has not yet given them the guidelines regarding the local distribution of the agency’s educational assistance.
“Wala pa rin pong pondo na ibinababa sa mga LGUs kaugnay nito. Wala pa pong hawak na listahan ng mga benepisyaryo ang LGUs (No funds have been transferred yet to the local government in regards to this. The LGU also does not yet have the list of beneficiaries for this program),” read the advisory released by the city’s Public Information Office (PIO).
The local government advised beneficiaries to wait for official announcements through the city’s PIO Facebook page.
To avoid the spread of fake news, and miscommunication among those involved, it also urged netizens to stop sharing unverified information regarding the payout.
The local government said it “understand the needs of Pasigueños to avail of the education assistance to help students’ back-to-school expenses.”
“Handa ring tumulong ang ating lungsod para mas mapabilis at mapalapit din ang payout centers ng educational assistance (The local government is ready to help to facilitate a swifter and more convenient distribution system by installing payout centers in the city),” the statement added.
The main office of the DSWD in Quezon City, and other field offices of the government agency in Metro Manila and in the provinces were swarmed by thousands of parents and students who lined up to receive the financial aid on Saturday, Aug. 20.
The DSWD were caught unprepared by the sheer number of people who flocked to their offices. Only those who registered online and who lined up for walk-ins before the 7 a.m. cut off were accommodated.
DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo told the press on Aug. 20, they will be “seeking the help of the local government” so that beneficiaries do not need to go to their main office to avail of the financial assistance.
“Siguro po next weekend...ibababa na po namin sa munisipyo...under the supervision of DSWD personnel (Maybe next weekend, we will ask help from the city halls under the supervision of DSWD personnel),” he said.
The DSWD educational assistance distribution began on Aug. 20, and will continue every Saturday until Sept. 24.