Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo profusely apologized Saturday, 20 August, for the deeply disorganized distribution of cash assistance meant for students that in places caused injury to crowds that had flocked to DSWD distribution centers.
In Zamboanga, a stampede among the waiting crowds had left 29 persons injured.
‘Sa mga galit po sa amin ngayon dahil hindi po namin natulungan today…ang amin pong taos pusong paumanhin,’ said Tulfo in a statement posted on Facebook.
Tulfo suspended the distribution and vowed that his department would do better next Saturday and in the next five Saturdays by implementing a more organized distribution system with the help of city and municipal officials and the DILG.
‘Ang amin pong nakikitang solusyon… Ilalapit na po namin sa inyo ang educational assistance sa tulong po ng mga taga-city hall at munisipyo na malapit sa inyong tirahan.’
The DSWD will continue to be the lead agency for the distribution of the cash aid, Tulfo said, to avoid pilferage of the funds or favoritism.
‘Huwag po kayong mag-alala dahil ang DSWD pa rin po ang mamimili ng mga benepisyaryo para maiwasan ang palakasan, kapit, at padrino. Katuwang na rin po namin ang DILG sa proyektong ito.’
The DSWD will call those who have completed their forms and received stubs for the schedule and designated place to receive their aid, the Secretary added.
‘Sa mga nabigyan na po ng stub at pina-fill up na ng form today, tatawag o magtext po kami para sa skedyul kung kailan ibibigay namin ang inyong educational assistance mula Lunes hanggang Biyernes next week sa mga DSWD offices namin.’
He ended his message by reiterating his apologies: ‘So sorry po ulit…’