“One of the most organized”: P5M Tulfo, DSWD payout for 1,666 beneficiaries in Kalinga earns praise

FEATURE

Sometimes, what makes a large cash assistance distribution stand out is not only the amount given but also how beneficiaries are welcomed and guided through the process.

That was what caught the attention of Prinsesa Laggunawa when she visited the Kalinga State University (KSU) Bulanao Campus gymnasium, where 1,666 residents from three barangays of Tabuk City received financial assistance under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.

“I got curious and decided to drop by the KSU Gym and I was impressed! One of the most organized cash assistance distribution I have witnessed,” Laggunawa wrote in a social media post.

The assistance, supported by the Office of Senator Raffy Tulfo, followed a request from former Tinglayan Mayor Atty. Sacrament Gumilab to help financially struggling iKalingas.

The request was coursed through the DSWD Central Office for implementation in Kalinga.

Each qualified beneficiary received ₱3,000, with the total assistance amounting to nearly ₱5 million.

For Laggunawa, the smooth and hassle-free payout reflected careful preparation, teamwork and concern for the beneficiaries.

Behind the orderly queues and clear directions were volunteers and government personnel working to ensure that beneficiaries knew where to go and whom to approach for assistance.

Gumilab’s volunteers worked alongside DSWD personnel, including the Social Welfare and Development (SWAD)-Kalinga team led by Team Leader Lorna Caswang Lumiowan, to guide beneficiaries throughout the distribution.

Making the process easier to navigate

At the gymnasium, signages directed beneficiaries to designated areas according to their family names.

A separate section was also established for document-related concerns, where Gumilab’s team helped direct those who needed assistance.

Gumilab was also seen attending to beneficiaries who approached him for clarification, listening to their concerns and helping explain matters as the payout proceeded.

Meanwhile, the SWAD-Kalinga team and other DSWD personnel carried out their respective duties, coordinating with the volunteers to keep the distribution organized.

SWAD-Kalinga Team Leader Lumiowan reportedly described the payout arrangement as orderly, recognizing the preparation and coordination behind the activity.

₱5 million in aid for three Tabuk barangays

The financial assistance was facilitated through the DSWD’s AICS program, which provides support to qualified individuals facing crisis situations.

Beneficiaries from Barangays Bado Dangwa and Malin-awa received their assistance on October 14, while those from Barangay Dilag were served on October 15. Both distributions were held at the KSU Bulanao Campus gymnasium.

The partnership with Tulfo’s office helped bring the assistance to the three barangays following Gumilab’s request on behalf of fellow iKalingas in need.

Guru Press Cordillera covered the distribution and observed how volunteers and government personnel guided beneficiaries throughout the activity.

With hundreds of people to accommodate, the work went beyond handing out cash assistance. It also involved helping beneficiaries find the correct queues, directing them to designated areas and answering questions when they needed clarification.

These efforts helped make the payout easier to navigate, highlighting how preparation and coordination can improve the experience of people seeking government assistance.