In the wake of the initial distribution of educational cash aid by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), wherein parents and families came in droves to the agency’s central and regional offices, DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo issued an announcement requesting help from cities and municipalities in doling out the Php500 million financial assistance.

On 24 August 2022, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) signed a memorandum with DSWD pledging their assistance to the aid disbursement through local government units (LGUs). LGU personnel, in coordination with DSWD, will disseminate information on the guidelines and schedules for the distribution. Health workers and security officers will also be present in the payout sites to ensure the safety of beneficiaries.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes this commitment by the DILG and the DSWD to deliver an efficient and orderly system of government assistance to the most vulnerable students. The agreement also signifies that both agencies heeded the calls of aggrieved aid applicants and that they are resolute in the improvement of their services.

CHR reiterates that in the conduct of the government’s constitutional obligations to fulfill the rights of the people, the dignity of persons must also be upheld. We then urge agencies and officials to anticipate a sizable response from the Filipino public—especially those still recovering from the pandemic and now bearing the brunt of rising inflation—and make preparations accordingly. The cash assistance will indeed be an important relief to families amid the return to in-person learning.

To note, the DSWD Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program will allocate financial assistance worth Php1,000 to elementary school students; Php2,000 to high school students; Php3,000 to senior high school students; and Php4,000 to college students. Up to 3 students per indigent family can avail of the cash assistance.

The Commission looks forward to the successful distribution of the educational aid. We express our utmost support for measures to ensure that education is accessible to all.

Moreover, aside from these provisional efforts, we call on our leaders to uphold good governance and to strengthen their political will in the protection and promotion of the right to quality education. ###