An additional 8,585 students in the Bicol region have received the educational cash assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) over the weekend.

In an advisory on Monday, the agency said it distributed some PHP23.2 million worth of cash aid under the agency’s Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) during the second payout last Saturday.

DSWD-Bicol distributed PHP3.7 million to 1,059 students in Albay province; Sorsogon – PHP7.3 million to 2,636 students; Masbate – PHP4 million to 1,535 students; Catanduanes – PHP1.5 million to 455 students; Camarines Sur – PHP3.2 million to 1,033 clients; and Camarines Norte – PHP3.1 million to 1,867 students.

Each pupil in the elementary level received PHP1,000; those in junior high school, PHP2,000; those in senior high school, PHP3,000; and PHP4,000 for those in college/vocational school.

Marrian Leonor, a beneficiary from Camarines Sur who got PHP4,000 in educational aid, thanked DSWD Bicol for the assistance.

“Sobrang thank you po sa Educational Assistance na tinao po samuya [kan DSWD]. Dakula po siyang tabang samuya, lalo na sa mga estudyante na tios man po. (Thank you very much for the educational assistance of DSWD that were given to us. It is a big help for students like us),” she said.

Leonor said she will use the money for her thesis. (PNA)