ILOILO City – To avoid overcrowding, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is shifting the payout scheme for its educational assistance program from one venue per province to per district starting this Saturday.
Also, only beneficiaries who have received a text message or email about their scheduled payout will be accommodated and assessed for the Educational Assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program, according to Atty. May Rago-Castillo, DSWD-6 regional information officer.
Walk-ins will be turned away.
“Ang priority sa payout assessment subong nga Sabado para sa educational assistance ang mga ginpapuli sang nagligad nga Sabado tungod sang kadamuon sang tawo kag wala na natatapan. Mabawi ang DSWD sa ila,” said Rago-Castillo.
For today, a total of 8,905 applicants for the education assistant program will be assessed and released with the assistance if approved.
Rago-Castillo reminded the applicants to bring the requirements and observe the minimum public health protocols such as wearing of facemask and social distancing.
The releasing sites per congressional district in the region and the number of applicants to be accommodated are the following:
* Aklan – Augusto B. Legaspi Gym – Kalibo – 1,000
* Antique – Provincial Engineering Office Gym – San Jose – 1,003
* Capiz 1st District – Capiz Provincial Gym – Tiza, Roxas City and Covered Gym -President Roxas – 250 each
* Capiz 2nd District – Poblacion Covered Gym – Cuartero and covered gym – Sigma – 250 each
* Guimaras – Provincial gym, Alibhon, Jordan – 700
* Iloilo City – Freedom Grandstand – 943
* Iloilo 1st District – Guimbal Municipal Gym – 140
* Iloilo 2nd District – Sta. Barbara Municipal Gym – 293
* Iloilo 3rd District – Janiuay Municipal Gym – 205
* Iloilo 4th District – Pototan Municipal Gym – 428
* Iloilo 5th District – Evacuation center – Poblacion, Barotac Viejo – 62
* Negros 1st District – Auditorium – San Carlos City – 152
* Negros 2nd District – Cadiz – Philippine Normal University Campus – 170
* Negros 3rd District – City public plaza covered court – Silay City – 353
* Negros 4th District – Barangay Lag-asan covered court – Bago City – 281
* Negros 5th District – City hall – Himamalyan City – 379
* Negros 6th District Talubangi Gym –Kabankalan City – 300
* Bacolod City – 3rd Floor SM City North Wing – 1, 365
COORDINATION DONE
The DSWD regional office has already coordinated with the local government units where the payouts will be conducted.
In Iloilo City, DSWD-6 OIC regional director Delia Bagolcol coordinated with Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.
Citing what happened on August 20, 2022 during the first payout when there was unmanaged overcrowding, Bagolcol said, “One lesson learned is to ensure partnership with the local government units.”
Treñas approved the request of the regional office which included the use of the Freedom Grandstand as venue for payout; support from the City Social Welfare and Development Office to assist during the payout; provision of tables and chairs for beneficiaries; additional manpower to help ensure the observance of and safety protocol; support from the Compliance Team and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office; and presence of medics and police personnel to ensure peace, order and safety./PN
