People continue to line up at the Department of Social Welfare and Development central office in Quezon City seeking to secure educational assistance as walk-in applicants even after the announcement that the application was closed.
Queue of beneficiaries was seen outside the main building of the agency on Saturday morning, with some being on the line since the previous night.
Among the oft-repeated reasons for those on the long line was that they could not file their application for educational assistance online so they went to the DSWD Central Office to personally submit their papers on Saturday.
Money low — Tulfo
DSWD faces the prospect of depleted funds this year, DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo said.
“The truth is that the money of DSWD for medical, burial, and transportation now stands at less than P1 billion. We’re running out of money. Have pity on other provinces as well,” Tulfo said during his visit to Bohol.
Tulfo cited Pilar Mayor Wilson Pajo’s statement that there are still 7,000 families in his town who have not received P5,000 in calamity assistance.
The secretary added that he was also surprised when he spoke to Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado who sought help for victims of typhoon Odette.
Tulfo is scheduled to appear before the House of Representatives for plenary deliberations on the DSWD’s budget proposal of P182 billion for the 2023 budget.