THE DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development on Sunday said that it has distributed P168 million educational assistance to about 68,000 learners.

“168 million ang naibigay as of 8 a.m. today. Ang na-serve ay nasa 66,000 to 68,000 na mga estudyante. So kapag pinagsama po ‘yung kahapon at noong isang Sabado, nasa P300 (million) plus na,” DSWD Sec. Erwin Tulfo said in a radio interview.

The DSWD earlier announced that 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 student enrolled in a college or technical-vocational school.

Up to 400,000 poor students are expected to benefit from the educational cash support program which was allotted P1.5 billion.

The first day of distribution was marred by confusion and long queues as huge crowds flocked to the agency’s main and regional offices.

On Saturday, DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Rommel Lopez said that the nationwide distribution of educational aid was generally smooth.

The financial assistance will be available in the DSWD central, regional, provincial and other local offices until September 24, 2022.

Those who want to receive the cash assistance were advised to register online or email [email protected].

The applicants can also visit the DSWD website and social media accounts for other details.