Good intentions not enough: Inquirer

Generations of Filipino students stand to become less educated, less employable, and consequently less productive members of society when they grow up due to the gap in learning the last three years.- Reuters

MANILA (Philippiens Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): Last week's chaotic scene at the headquarters of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-where would-be beneficiaries for the government's freshly announced financial assistance for indigent students hoped to receive the aid-was a sad sight to behold.

Thousands of people swarmed the agency's central office, and apparently, at its satellite offices around the country, too, hoping to receive anywhere from P1,000 to P4,000 as part of the P500-million package that Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo announced would be distributed to the public.