By Connie B. Destura
LEGAZPI CITY, July 11 (PNA) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 5 has clarified that the amount received by qualified applicants for the educational assistance is based on the social worker’s assessment and documents submitted by the clients.
“The common misconception of the public is that the assistance is considered as a scholarship program, which DSWD strongly disproves. The educational assistance does not guarantee to cover the full amount of the tuition fee and other school expenses,” DSWD Bicol Regional Director Arnel Garcia said.
The educational assistance is under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), a part of the DSWD’s menu under protective services for the marginalized and disadvantaged individuals.
It is a form of assistance given to qualified beneficiaries to help defray the other cost of sending students to school.
The AICS is being implemented by the Crisis Intervention Units (CIU) to provide a range of services, such as immediate rescue, and provision of direct financial assistance, psychosocial support, and material assistance including medical, transportation, financial, burial, and other services.
Garcia said clients could receive Php 1,000 to Php5,000, based on DSWD screening and should understand that this was only an augmentation to the student’s school-related expenses such as purchase of school supplies, transportation allowance and also school tuition fees.
Moreover, he added, DSWD accepts referrals from anyone but that the referrals made by any group or individual have no influence to determine the amount received by the beneficiaries.
The form and amount of financial assistance to be provided to beneficiaries shall be based on the assessment and recommendation of the DSWD-licensed professional social workers.
The last day of registration for the educational assistance covering the first semester for school year 2015-16 closed last May .
The DSWD Field Office 5 caters to applicants coming from the province of Albay and other applicants can go directly to its satellite offices in the following provinces: Masbate — E. Bldg., 2/F, Corner Ibañez and Medina Sts., Masbate City; Camarines Sur — Topaz St., Jacob ext., Naga City; Camarines Norte — 3/F, LJR Bldg., J. Lukban Ext., Brgy. 3, Daet, Camarines Norte; Catanduanes — Barangay Constantino, Virac, Catanduanes; Sorsogon — Lee Bldg., Quezon St., Polvorista, Sorsogon City. (PNA)