THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) yesterday denied it has revived its educational cash aid program for indigent students as stated in “fake” videos uploaded in the video sharing application Tiktok.
In its official Facebook page quoting assistant secretary and spokesman Romel Lopez and Director Aldrine Fermin, the DSWD said there is no truth to the claims of the “PH Go” account in Tiktok that the agency is giving away cash assistance to students.
The Tiktok video has uploaded in the “Comments” section a supposed application form for an amelioration card and instructed applicants to fill out the form and submit this online. It directed applicants to wait for a “text or call” after they have submitted their application forms.
“Walang katotohanan, ang kumakalat na video na ito sa Tiktok na muling magbibigay ang DSWD ng educational assistance sa mga mag-aaral. Ang educational assistance sa ilaim ng Assistance to Individuals in Crisis o AICS program ng DSWD ay wala pang tiyak na detalye kung kailan magsisimula (There is no truth, to a video in Tiktok that DSWD is giving away educational assistance to students. There are no details yet as to when the educational assistance under Assistance to Individuals in Crisis or AICS of DSWD would start),” the DSWD said in its announcement.
The one-time educational cash assistance under the AICS was distributed to poor but deserving students from elementary to college students during the term of former DSWD chief Rep. Erwin Tulfo.
Lopez said the public should be wary and verify first if such announcements are true before they provide personal details or submit forms containing their personal information which he warned could be used by scrupulous individuals or groups for illegal activities.
The DSWD, under then Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo, provided a one-time educational cash assistance under AICS to poor but deserving students from elementary to college.
Lopez said the DSWD is currently offering “salaries” to second to fourth year level college students under its “Tara Basa!” educational program, where participating students are paid a daily minimum wage for a period of 20 days in exchange for tutoring or teaching Grades 1 and 2 students how to read.
Parents of the student recipients are also cash subsidy and provided parenting guidance under the “Nanay-Tatay” sessions so they can continue the reading tutorials at home.
The program was initially launched in Metro Manila last year. It was expanded this month in Cebu City, Marawi City, General Santos City, San Jose del Monte and Malolos cities (both in Bulacan), Taraka in Lanao del Sur, and in Western Samar and Quezon provinces.
As this developed, Fermin and Lopez also released a list of Facebook and YouTube accounts that released supposed “fake news” or “fake information” about DSWD programs, as well as alleged “fake accounts” that use the name of the DSWD or its programs to victimize people.
