The Department of Education (DepEd) clarified on Wednesday, May 8, that it is not providing “cash aid” to graduating students, countering circulating online rumors.
Assistant Secretary and Deputy Spokesperson Francis Cesar Bringas denounced the dissemination of false advisories claiming cash assistance from DepEd for graduates. These misleading posts even featured images of Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte alongside the agency’s logo, a tactic meant to deceive.
In response to these fabrications, Bringas emphasized that DepEd has no program offering cash allowances or assistance to either public or private school learners. He underscored that the educational aid provided by the government is exclusively through the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE), which encompasses the Senior High School Voucher Program (SHS VP) for Senior High School students and the Education Service Contracting (ESC) for Junior High School students.
The DepEd official urged vigilance from the public, advising them to verify information through the department’s official channels and report any suspicious incidents to the nearest DepEd office. Additionally, the DepEd Central Office is collaborating with relevant government agencies to identify and address the sources of these fraudulent advertisements, which tarnish the agency’s reputation and exploit individuals unaware of its legitimate programs.
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