NEARLY 500 students from Davao del Norte State College (DNSC) have received a total of ₱1.56 million in financial aid through the Cash-for-Work Program for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), implemented under the DSWD’s KALAHI-CIDSS initiative.
Spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office-Davao, the program provided vital support to 461 student beneficiaries, helping them cover daily expenses and educational needs.
For 25 days, 422 students engaged in community service activities—such as environmental cleanups, tree planting, and civic work in their barangays—earning ₱240.50 per day, or ₱6,012.50 each.
In addition, 39 recent DNSC graduates who joined the program received a higher wage of ₱481 per day for full eight-hour workdays, earning ₱12,025 each.
More than just a source of temporary income, the program aims to foster youth participation in local development while promoting environmental protection and social engagement.
The Cash-for-Work Program for HEIs is part of the broader Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-Cidss) framework, which targets low-income families and youth from underprivileged sectors. It is designed to help students stay in school while gaining practical work experience and contributing to community improvement.
As of June 2025, the DSWD continues to implement similar cash-for-work initiatives across Mindanao, reinforcing the government’s efforts to combat poverty, reduce youth unemployment, and strengthen grassroots involvement in nation-building. DEF