4Ps beneficiaries who received education aid need to refund grant —Tulfo

Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries who were given educational assistance by "mistake" on Saturday by will have to "refund" the grant, Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo said Monday.

Funds will be deducted from future 4Ps grants, Tulfo told reporters as tweeted by GMA News' Cedric Castillo. 

"Pero hindi naman biglaan [but it will not be immediate]," Tulfo said of the refund.

Tulfo earlier said 4Ps beneficiaries are no longer eligible to receive the educational assistance for indigent students from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Long lines of students and parents or guardians were seen outside DSWD offices at the start of the distribution of the education assistance on Saturday, August 20, causing chaos and confusion.

Tulfo has already apologized for the incident.

"We were overwhelmed and did not expect the turnout," Tulfo said during Monday's flag-raising ceremony at the DSWD main office.

He extended his apology to those who went to DSWD offices but left empty-handed.

"So to those who came and went home empty-handed that day, [I offer you] my sincerest apologies," Tulfo said.

"For those parents who were not able to receive cash aid, we assure you that you will get your child's educational assistance sooner but not later than September 24," he added. —KBK, GMA News