DSWD 7 distributes P20.2M in aid to nearly 7K indigent students

A TOTAL of 6,818 indigent students in Central Visayas have received educational assistance through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7.

DSWD 7 Officer-in-Charge Shalaine Marie Lucero said they have shelled out P20.2 million for this purpose.

The distribution, which takes place every Saturday nationwide until Sept. 24, started on Aug. 20.

Lucero said 39 local government units in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor will simultaneously distribute the education assistance on Saturday, Sept. 3.

She said the agency will identify additional distribution areas in the four provinces to serve more beneficiaries.

The DSWD 7 distributed educational assistance to 3,339 beneficiaries on Aug. 30, followed by 4,479 on Aug. 27.

Beneficiaries can use the cash aid to purchase school supplies or augment their allowance, among others.

Students who qualify to avail themselves of the program are the following: breadwinner, working student, has no family/living with relative, child of a single parent, has parents with no source of living, child of overseas Filipino workers, child of persons with disabilities, child of HIV positive person, victim of domestic abuse and victim of natural disasters.

The cash aid varies depending on the student’s level: P1,000 for grade school; P2,000 for high school; P3,000 for junior and senior high; and P4,000 for college students.

To claim it, the beneficiary must present a copy of a study load or certificate of enrolment, a valid ID of the parent or guardian and a school ID.