Hundreds of people gathered on Saturday, August 20, in front tof the central office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Quezon City in order to avail the financial assistance offered by the DSWD ahead of the opening of classes
Reports state that members of the crowd suffered injuries as they pushed, slipped, and climbed the gate of the agency while trying to get ahead of the queue.
Some applicants also camped outside the central office on Friday, August 19, in order to receive the educational cash aid.
"Ang totooo niyan, umasa kami na mabibigyan kami ng ano ng DSWD para sa mga estudyante namin," said Lito Diamante who waited in line alongside three of his children.
"Ang estudyante ko lima pero ang na-priority lang ay hanggang tatlo kaya nagpunta kami kahapon. Alas dos pa lang ng hapon nandito na kami," Dimante stressed.
Meanwhile, Reniel Anne, a student from San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, sought help finding her mother, a senior citizen, after they got separated.
"Kasama ako sa nadisgrasya kanina, nakahiga na lang ako kanina kasi nagigitgitan na sila. Tapos yung nanay ko hinahanap ko kasi senior citizen na tapos may maintenance pa, high-blood siya," said Reniel Anne.
"Nakahiga na ako, nakasubsob na ako kanina. Mabuti na lang may mga tumulong sa akin," she added.
The DSWD halted accepting walk-in applicants as early as 7:00AM on Saturday, and distributed stubs to applicants still waiting in line.
