ZAMBOANGA CITY, Aug 23 (PIA) - Some 355 students from different levels here, receive the cash educational assistance during the debut of its distribution in Zamboanga Peninsula region this month.

The remaining 145 students were found to have some inconsistencies in their submitted requirements which will be further assessed.

“Ang educational assistance ay para sa mga mag-aaral na nakakaranas ng crisis o naghihirap sa panahong ito. Paunawa, hindi lahat ng mga estudyanteng naroroon ay makatatanggap,” Department of Social Welfare and Development-9 Regional Information Officer Mr. Ivan Eric Salvador said during the Kapihan na SM City Mindpro held online recently.

To note, the DSWD-9 only targets 500 walk-in beneficiaries for Zamboanga City every Saturday, as the identified schedule for the payouts.

Other cities and municipalities in Zamboanga Peninsula region have also allotted target number of beneficiaries, subject to the availability of funds of the DSWD-9.

The following are the number of beneficiaries that are expected to receive the assistance in every payout; 100 for Isabela City, 183 for Ipil Municipality, 100 for Liloy Municipality, 183 for Dipolog City, and 184 for Pagadian City.

The payout will only last for six Saturdays from August 20 to September 24, this year.

“Karapatan ng mga kabataan ang humingi ng assistance sa gobyerno pero ang ating tulong ay depende sa availability ng pondo,” Salvador said.

Elementary students are expected to receive 1,000 pesos, 2,000 pesos for high school students, 3,000 pesos for senior high school students and 4,000 pesos for vocational and college level students.

More so, requirements have been made easier and faster where aspiring beneficiaries only have to bring school registration/certificate of enrolment and a school identification card.

The department affirmed that the identification of the qualified beneficiaries has been thoroughly assessed by the social workers and are aligned in the imposed Memorandum Circular No. 15 of the DSWD.

To lessen the hassles and other incidents, the department will also plan to release a pre-registration link online as early as this week.

“Mag-antay sa mga anunsyo and iwasan magbasa ng mga hindi lehitimong impormasyon,” Salvador concluded. (RVC/JRA/PIA9-Zamboanga City)