The cash educational assistance that was “erroneously” given to the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) will be recovered through a “refund”, according to DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo.
In a tweet by Cedric Castillo of GMA News, Tulfo said this Monday that those who were given educational aid on Saturday will be deducted from the next regular aid in the 4Ps.
“Pero hindi naman biglaan,” said Tulfo about the refund.
First of all, Tulfo said that students who are part of the family benefited from the 4Ps are no longer eligible for educational aid.
Students, parents or guardians flocked to DSWD offices on Saturday to get financial aid for education from the government.
Poor elementary school students will receive P1,000, high school students will receive P2,000, senior high school students will receive P3,000, and college students or those in vocational courses will receive P4,000.
Up to three students in a family can receive aid.
“We were overwhelmed and did not expect the turnout,” Tulfo admitted to the influx of people at several DSWD offices, including their main office in Quezon City.
4Ps beneficiaries to ‘refund’ DSWD educational assistance
The secretary apologized to those who lined up but were not given help.
“So to those who came and went home empty-handed that day, [I offer you] my sincerest apologies,” said Tulfo. “For those parents who were not able to receive cash aid, we assure you that you will get your child’s educational assistance sooner but not later than September 24.”
After the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) faced criticism for what occurred on the first day of the payout, Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo promised to set up a stronger distribution mechanism for their financial support program for impoverished students on Monday.
“Next week, ipangako namin, mas maayos na ho itong sistema [we promise that the system will be better next week],” Tulfo said.
Tulfo stated that they will also take into account setting a cutoff or modifying an alphabetical system of student funding distribution.
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