The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has started the cash-for-work (CFW) payouts for college students who served as tutors and Youth Development Workers (YDWs), and parents and guardians of the elementary – beneficiaries of the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program.

“Tutors and YDWs under the program will receive cash-for-work in exchange for the tutorial and parenting sessions they have conducted with the grade school learners and parents,” Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, who is also the DSWD spokesperson, said on Friday (August 16).

As of August 16, the DSWD has distributed the cash aid to the beneficiaries in Region 7 (Central Visayas), Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN), and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Each of the 444 tutors and 230 YDWs from Central Visayas received Php9,360; 210 tutors and 105 YDWs from BARMM received Php6,820 each; while each of the 216 tutors and 48 YDWs from SOCCSKSARGEN received Php8,060.

The amount they received is equivalent to 20 reading and parenting sessions which was based on the regional minimum wage rate in their areas.

The DSWD spokesperson said parents and guardians from the same regions have received their CFW.

“A total of 7,709 parents and guardians of struggling and non-reader elementary students received their CFW amounting to Php4,700 each for attending 20 Nanay-Tatay teacher sessions,” the DSWD spokesperson said.

According to the DSWD spokesperson, payouts in Region 3 (Central Luzon), CALABARZON, Eastern Visayas, and National Capital Region (NCR) are still ongoing.

“As you may recall, reading and parenting sessions in some parts of Central Luzon, CALABARZON, and NCR were cancelled due to the recent Super Typhoon Carina compounded by the southwest monsoon,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao pointed out.

Ayeen Jharifa Dirampaten Alip, a 4th-year Bachelor of Science in Social Work student at the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City said the CFW she received in exchange for the Nanay-Tatay teacher sessions among the parents and guardians of elementary-beneficiaries has helped defray some of her school expenses.

“Malaking tulong po talaga ang CFW na aming natanggap para pandagdag suporta sa aming pag-aaral. Higit sa lahat, this program has positively contributed a lot to our growth and journey towards our career goals” Ayeen Jharifa explained.

Another student, Florence Jill Cabanes from Cebu Normal University (CNU) who served as a tutor, said the experiences she gained from teaching the children can contribute to her chosen field.

“Marami talaga ang naitulong ng DSWD. First of all, sa financial needs naming mga students. Mga students from state colleges yung napili which is really needed talaga namin. Kahit one month lang sya, hindi lang kami yung natuto pati na rin yung mga bata. Meron din silang natutunan. This is a very nice program na magandang ipagpatuloy.
Madadala din namin itong mga experience namin in the field of teaching when we become teachers na din,” Florence Jill said as she thanked the DSWD.

Mary Ann Domado, a parent of one of the elementary learners in Cebu City, said the program has helped her child to gain more confidence.

“Natutuwa ako na at least gusto nya ng pumasok. Kasi pag ayaw nya talagang pumasok, madalas pagdating sa classroom naiinip nalang, o mahihiya, payuko-yuko nalang. Ngayon mas nagiging-confident na sya. So, sa pasukan gaganahan na syang pumasok at mag-aral,” Mary Ann said.

The Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program is the reformatted educational assistance program of the DSWD that creates an ecosystem of learning by training college students from low-income families who are in difficult situations to become tutors and YDWs. #