The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday announced that it will no longer accept walk-in transactions for indigent students who will get financial assistance in order to avoid crowding at the payout sites.
The policy was penned days after huge crowds flocked the DSWD central and regional offices over the weekend.
"No. Kasi pag nag-walk in po magkakaproblema na naman po tayo. ‘Yun po ang mahigpit na instruction, this will be the difference," DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo said during a media conference when asked if they will still be accepting walk-ins.
[There will be problems if we will accept walk-ins again. That is my instruction.]
He instructed those who want to receive financial aid from the department to register online or email them at [email protected]. Only those who registered online will be accepted, as per Tulfo.
Applicants can also visit the DSWD website and social media accounts for futher details.
"Aside from online, puwedeng QR code, puwedeng text kung hindi smartphone ang gamit nila, sasagutin naman namin. There is no more reason na sabihin nilang wala kaming cellphone. Tapos ‘yung mga anak nila nag-online naman last year, e di magpaturo po sila sa anak nila o ‘yung anak nila ang magregister. Madali lang po kaming hanapin, pupunta lang po sa website ng DSWD at d'un nila makikita ‘yun," Tulfo added.
[Aside from online, they can also register through QR code or send us a text message if they are not using a smartphone and we will answer them. There is no more reason to say they do not have a cellphone, their children had online class last year so they can ask them for help in the registration. They can easily find us, just go to our website and they can find the details there.]
"I think this is a blessing in disguise because what President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants is to digitize the government. So we have to start it now," he continued.
Tulfo said the applicants will receive a text message from the DSWD on when they should go to the payout sites, which will be identified by the local government units.
Up to three students per family can get cash assistance with amounts ranging as follows:
- P1,000 for elementary students
- P2,000 for junior high school students
- P3,000 for senior high school students
- P4,000 for college students or those taking vocational courses
