As of November 25, 2024, the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Central Visayas has extended assistance to 443,101 individuals.

Assisted individuals are from referral of partners, Malasakit Centers of public hospitals, walk-ins to the Crisis Intervention Section or the Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) office in the provinces, satellite offices, and off-site payouts with local government units.

AICS gives aid during crisis situations for individuals and families needing medical, burial, transportation, education, food, cash relief, and material assistance through a guarantee letter, direct cash given to the client, or a family food pack.

The assistance has a corresponding set of requirements such as valid ID for the client, case summary report which can be secured from local social welfare and development offices, among others. It can only be availed every three months, except for the medical assistance for hospital bills, which can be availed per admission of the client or beneficiary in need.

Medical is the leading type of assistance availed by the program’s clientele in the region with 209,209 individuals who availed this year, releasing a total of Php 936,611,586.44.

The Department has released a total of Php 1.9 billion worth of assistance to individuals in crisis situations.

Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero also reiterated that the money received from DSWD is solely for them, and it does not allow individuals to take a portion of their cash received through commissions, percentages, or tips to other people.

“During our payouts, we find time to inform beneficiaries that the assistance received is theirs alone and it will not be transferred to or be given to anyone else by means of fixing or ‘kaltas-ayuda’,” she said.

In order to report cases, call 232-9505 or 233-0261 loc. 145 or send an email to ciu.fo7@dswd.gov.ph.

Partnerships 

AICS has partnered with private and non-government organizations such as pharmacies, hospitals, and medical service providers to extend the assistance in ways possible, especially to avoid giving direct cash to clients availing of medical assistance.

The clients or beneficiaries will be referred to the partners if their needs will be met or offered by the service provider. ###

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