SEVERAL government officials expressed concern over the long lines in sites where educational assistance for indigent students is being distributed.

In a Facebook post, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas said no coordination was made in the distribution of cash assistance.

“I am very worried about the situation at the Iloilo sports complex. It is now filled to the full capacity and there are still students outside in the streets. No coordination was ever made, and this was not well thought of or even well planned,” Treñas said.

“If there will be students who will be harmed, I will be filing criminal and administrative cases on all responsible for this poor planning and execution,” he added.

Meanwhile, Gabriela Partylist Representative Arlene Brosas said more funds should be allocated to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for the student aid program.

“Napakaliit ng pondong inilaan para sa indigent student program tapos ang liit din ng cut-off kada Sabado. Dapat dagdagan ang pondo para sa ayuda lalo’t bugbog na bugbog na sa krisis at taas-presyo ang mga kababayan natin,” Brosas said in a statement.

“Hanapan ng karagdagang P2 billion ang programa. Gawing P10,000 ang student aid dahil kahit ‘yung P4,000 para sa magkokolehiyo ay hindi sapat para tustusan ang pinakabatayang pangangailangan para sa balik-eskwela,” she added.

Long lines had cropped up in several regional and provincial offices of the DSWD since Friday night.

On Saturday, tensions rose at the DSWD Central Office after beneficiaries who were not accommodated for financial aid barged into the gate, with some climbing over the fence and others pushing the security guards.

The DSWD earlier announced up to three students per indigent family can receive cash aid worth P1,000 for elementary students, P2,000 for high school, P3,000 for senior high school, and P4,000 for a tertiary student enrolled in a college or technical-vocational school.

The financial assistance will be available in the DSWD central, regional, provincial, and other local office starting on Saturday and every Saturday until September 24.