Many parents and students requested educational assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). However, the agency has recognized that the system can no longer serve applicants swiftly owing to the flood of applications. According to an ABS-CBN News source, the agency has decided to cease accepting applications for DSWD educational cash aid.

In response to the delayed application responses, the Department of Social Welfare and Development issued a statement.

The government agency accepted applications for the DSWD Educational Cash Assistance offers through digital platforms. Unfortunately, due to the enormous amount of applications received, the agency is experiencing difficulty replying to applicants.

“Nakakalungkot man na talagang hindi kaya ng aming sistema, sapagkat ‘yung aming application na pinoproseso ay higit 2 million na. Sa sobrang dami, hindi na kaya ng sistema. Minarapat na ni Secretary Erwin [Tulfo] na itigil na ang online application,” DSWD spokesman Romel Lopez said in an interview over ABS-CBN’s TeleRadyo.

According to a report on ABS-CBN News, the agency said that before, responding to applications takes about two to three days; but, due to the enormous volume of applications, they are still processing a number of the August applications.

The DSWD has decided to stop accepting online requests for financial aid for schooling.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development intends to aid impoverished students with a six-week initiative that will offer beneficiaries with financial support for their educational expenditures.

According to DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo, the students might earn between P1,000 and P4,000, according to an ABS-CBN News report.

According to DSWD Secretary Tulfo, a family may get financial assistance for up to three (3) students’ education. From August 20 to September 24, the program will run for six weeks.

Even though online applications have been suspended, a DSWD official stated that current applications will be processed as long as the program’s money is available. He expressed his optimism that the DSWD will be awarded more cash for educational assistance in 2023 above its initial planned P194 billion budget.

“Historically, hindi naman nababawasan ang pondo ng DSWD, bagkus ito ay nadadagdagan,” he added.

(Historically, the DSWD budget has never been reduced; rather, it has always been expanded.)