DSWD Educational Cash Assistance Region 9 Zamboanga

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Zamboanga Field office Region 9 has announced that they have begun the payout of the educational cash aid for students who are in crisis. Depending on their school level and qualifications, DSWD will give each student in need of cash assistance between PHP 1000 to PHP 4000 through the AICS program.

DSWD Region 9 Field Office covers Zamboanga Peninsula Region in the Philippines and includes the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Zamboanga del Sur and cities of Dapitan, Dipolog, Pagadian, Zamboanga, and Isabela. If you belong to a student-in-crisis category in this area, the DSWD in Zamboanga may be able to assist you with up to PHP 4,000 worth of education funding.

This benefit is available to students who are classified as “in crisis,” which includes but is not limited to working students, breadwinners of the family, children of solo parents or unemployed parents, and orphans.

DSWD Field Office 9 currently has an online appointment portal so you need to register online through the application form link. Walk-in registrations are temporarily suspended due to the number of applicants applying for the said cash benefit. Please follow the guidelines below.

What is the DSWD Cash Assistance AICS Program from Region 9?

The acronym AICS stands for Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations. This is a DSWD program that aids Filipinos in crisis, such as those who are ill or have lost a loved one, or need help financially with their education. For this topic, we will discuss how to claim cash assistance for educational purposes, specifically for those who are governed by the DSWD Field office 9.

What is the DSWD Educational Assistance?

The DSWD Educational Assistance program provides financial aid to students who are struggling to pay for their schooling. The amount of assistance will depend on the student’s level of education, some will receive PHP 1000 and some will receive PHP 4000.

Qualifications

The purpose of the AICS Educational Assistance is to give financial help to enrolled students while they are ‘in crisis. Below is the list of eligibility:

• breadwinner students
• working students
• orphaned/abandoned students
• living with relatives
• children of solo parents
• children of unemployed parents
• children of distressed OFWs
• Persons with disabilities (PWDs)
• children of rebel returnees
• children of persons deprived of liberty
• children with HIV or those living with parents with HIV
• victims of abuse or displacement, and
• students who are in criss due to natural or human-induced calamities

Requirements

Bring 2 copies of the following requirements:

If the parent/guardian will process:

• Government issued/valid IDs
• If guardian, bring certificate of guardianship or other proof that you are the legal guardian of the student

Bring any of the following

• Valid School ID
• Certificate of Enrollment
• Statement of Account
• Any official School document showing that the student is enrolled in current schoolyear.

If the student will process (of legal age)

• Government issued/valid IDs

Bring any of the following

• Valid School ID
• Certificate of Enrollment
• Statement of Account
• Any official School document showing that the student is enrolled in the current schoolyear.

Schedule of Payout

Here’s a list of payout schedule dates every Saturday for the DSWD assistance:

• August 20, 2022
• August 27, 2022
• September 3, 2022
• September 10, 2022
• September 17, 2022
• September 24, 2022

How to Claim DSWD Financial Assistance for Education in Zamboanga Peninsula Region 9 – Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Zamboanga del Sur

For DSWD Region 9, applicants need to make an appointment booking through the Online Appointment Portal for AICS Educational Assistance. There is no Walk-in option. Please follow the guidelines below:

Step 1: Register for the cash assistance in DSWD Region 9 online here – https://bit.ly/3PFQw9S

Note: There is no guarantee that all those who will apply will be given the cash aid because you will have to undergo an interview/assessment first.

Step 2: Enter your necessary information. Make sure they are correct.

Step 3: Wait for a confirmation text message from DSWD regarding the appointment date and location.

Step 4: Go to the designated location assigned to you on the day of the appointment.

Step 5: Bring all the necessary documentation requirements such as IDs and proof of enrollment.

Step 6: DSWD officers will assess and once approved, the cash assistance will be distributed.

Note: These are the current procedure shared by the DSWD office. However, these may change without prior notice. So it is really good to Follow and stay tuned to the official FB page of DSWD Field Office 9 for updates.

DSWD Field Office 9 ADVISORY

Here’s an infographic as shared by the Field office 9 about the details of the Educational Assistance for students in order to implement the payout properly:

List of DSWD Offices in Region 9

• CIU Zamboanga City in Zamboanga City
• SWADT Isablea in Isabela City, Basilan
• SWADT Ipil in Ipila Zamboanga Sibugay Province
• SWADT Liloy in Liloy, Zamboanga Del norte
• SWADT Dipolog in Sta. Isabel, Dipolog City, Zamboanga Del Norte
• SWADT Pagadian in Seisete St., Balangasan, Pagadian City, Zamboanga Del Sur

No Scholarship Project from DSWD

The DSWD does not currently offer any scholarships; the AICS or Education Assistance program is the only form of financial assistance they provide for education purpose and if you are in crisis. If you see a post on social media or another website promising DSWD scholarships, be careful because it might be fraudulent.

This AICS cash assistance is normally a financial aid and it is given to selected students only once every schoolyear.

Important Reminders

EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
PUBLIC ADVISORY No. 2
August 24, 2022

1. The payout venue will be announced only for the next batches of students this Saturday. This is to have a proper appointment schedule.

2. Only students who were only called by DSWD from prior pre-registration/listing at Zamboanga City Coliseum and SWAD Team offices are allowed to attend. Again, Do not come to the venue without notice from DSWD.

3. We would also like to inform that the names of pre-registered students will be crossmatching in our available database to check and filter those who should be included.

4. According to the new directive, those who will no longer receive Educational Assistance are as follows:

• 4Ps Households/Beneficiaries
• Mga estudyante na may scholarship grants/incentives mula sa Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Local Government Units (LGU), Non-Government Organizations (NGO) at iba pang Sponsors (public at private).

5. All those who will be called will go through a thorough assessment of the social workers. Please bring two copies of the following:

• Documents that will prove that the child is enrolled such as School Registration Form/Certificate of Enrollment. (If the student is a minor, the parent/guardian needs to present a Valid ID. )
• Valid Identification Card
• Authorization Letter (if the applicant for assistance cannot come)

6. For those who wish to register, we temporarily suspend walk-in registration however, there is an online link that can be used to register until 5pm, August 28, 2022 (Sunday):

https://bit.ly/3PFQw9S

7. Remember that enrolling names at walk-in and online does not guarantee slots in Educational Assistance. Just wait for the call from DSWDs for the next batches. (subject to availability of funds)

8. Please pregnant, disabled and parents don’t bring children to the Payout venue. Let us also maintain the Minimum Health Protocols. We are expecting the cooperation of everyone for the better and safer distribution of Educational assistance in Region Nueve.

Video: AICS Educational Assistance Program by DSWD

Here’s a video announcement about this DSWD Educational Assistance Program as shared by DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo. This gives you an idea about the program and what it can do to help students in need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about the AICS Educational Assistance Program in Zamboanga Region 9:

1. What is the AICS Educational Assistance Program?

The AICS Educational Assistance Program, under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), aids students in need with their education expenses. Students must be classified as “in crisis,” which includes working students, breadwinners of the family, children of solo parents or unemployed parents, orphans, and other circumstances. This benefit is between PHP 1000 to PHP 4,000 in financial aid for the student, depending on their current level of schooling.

2. Who can apply for this education assistance in Region 9?

Students who are classified as “in crisis” are eligible to apply for this assistance. This includes working students, breadwinners of the family, children of solo parents or unemployed parents, orphans, and others with similar situations.

3. What are the requirements needed to apply?

The requirements may vary depending on the region where you will apply. But generally, these are the requirements:

• Government issued/valid IDs
• If guardian, bring certificate of guardianship or other proof that you are the legal guardian of the student

Bring any of the following

• Valid School ID
• Certificate of Enrollment
• Statement of Account
• Any official School document showing that the student is enrolled in the current schoolyear.

4. How much financial assistance can be given?

The amount of financial aid given to the student depends on their current level of schooling. It ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 4000.

5. What locations does DSWD Field Office 9 cover?

The DSWD Field Office 9 covers the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Zamboanga del Sur; and five cities – Dapitan, Dipolog, Pagadian, Zamboanga, and Isabela.

6. How can I apply for this assistance in Zamboanga Peninsula?

In Zamboanga, you have to book an appointment before getting an assessment. So make sure you follow the instructions on how to schedule an appointment booking for the cash aid before visiting the field office as they do not accept walk-in applicants.

7. How will I know if I’m approved?

You will know if you’re approved or not through an interview/assessment with the DSWD representative. If you are approved, they will give you the cash aid. However, if you are not approved, they will return your documents and tell you why you were not accepted into the program.

8. I saw a post about a DSWD scholarship program. Is this real?

No, there are no scholarship programs available through the DSWD. The AICS or Educational Assistance program is the only monetary assistance they provide. So if you see any posts on social media or other websites that claim to give scholarships from the DSWD, be very careful as it might not be legitimate.

9. How do I stay updated with Zamboanga DSWD Region 9?

For more information, you may contact DSWD Region 9 at (062) 991 6030 or visit their official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/dswdfo9/. You may also visit the DSWD office Region 9 address at General Vicente Alvarez St, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines 7000.

Summary

So in conclusion, the AICS Educational Assistance Program provides financial aid to students in need. Students must be classified as “in crisis” in order to apply, and the amount of aid given depends on their current level of schooling.

In order to apply in Zamboanga, you have to go online and submit your application form for an appointment. You will know if you’re approved or not through an interview/assessment with the DSWD representative.

Contact Information

DSWD Field Office Region 9
Address: General Vicente Alvarez St, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines 7000
Email: fo9@dswd.gov.ph
Telephone: +63 62 991 6030
Website: https://fo9.dswd.gov.ph/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dswdfo9/

Google Map Location

Please see the map guide to the location of the DSWD field office Region 9 in Zamboanga: