Secretary Erwin Tulfo’s announcement that DSWD will be opening its doors for the distribution of educational assistance to students-in-crisis hit the social media and televisions nationwide. His trimming down of the requirements for said assistance was wowed by the netizens. He removed the indigency certificate as one of the documentary requirements because the program Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation or AICS is not only for indigent beneficiaries but for persons in crisis. Sec. Tulfo announced that students are only to submit the Certificate of Enrolment or any proof that they are enrolled in the school and a valid ID or any proof of identification.

DSWD would like to clarify that these requirements are individual in nature being required from each aspiring eligible beneficiary. The agency did not request from any listing of possible beneficiary from DepEd as stated clearly by the Secretary that it is DSWD who will screen the applications and will determine eligibilities. The agency believes that these requirements are readily accessible to students of schools because these documents are inherent documents to being a student.

As to the issue on possible increase in dropouts, DSWD believes that it is the role of the school to ensure that their students are kept under their care until they finish their schooling. Secretary Tulfo’s immediate release of the educational assistance proved to be more helpful and beneficial to its beneficiaries and their families. We believe that in this time of early recovery from the pandemic, agencies should be more flexible in responding to the needs of the new normal.