The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7 in Central Visayas announces that starting November 30, 2025, the Department temporarily stopped giving out guarantee letters for two of its crisis help programs, the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) and the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).
Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero stated that this measure will remain in effect until the first working day of 2026 or upon the approval of the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
This means that clients availing themselves of AICS and AKAP will temporarily not be issued guarantee letters for assistance, such as medical support—including hospitalization, medicines, and laboratory requests—as well as funeral assistance.
“Clients may still avail of assistance; however, this will be processed as outright cash, and the amount will not exceed Php 10,000,” Lucero clarified. “For hospital bills and other needs requiring larger amounts, clients may opt to have promissory notes issued directly to the service providers,” she added.
The director explained that the temporary halt is intended to minimize the risk of incurring substantial unpaid services for the current year, which could lead to claims and the accumulation of Accounts Payable (APs) in the succeeding year.
“This comes following the Secretary’s memorandum directing the suspension of guarantee letters and offsite payouts starting November 30, 2025, which coincides with the deadline for submitting Disbursement Vouchers (DV) to the Financial Management Service (FMS)-Accounting Division for pre-audit purposes,” Lucero said, referring to the agency’s annual year-end closing of books.
The suspension of guarantee letter issuance allows service providers sufficient time to submit the necessary documents for payment processing. Meanwhile, pausing off-site payouts ensures proper liquidation and compliance with cash disbursement guidelines, helping to guarantee that all transactions are fully accounted for before the end of the year.
Off-site payouts for both programs will also be suspended starting December 12, 2025, for the same reason.
Both programs remain crucial Department interventions, assisting in the form of cash, material support, or guarantee letters to service providers such as hospitals, funeral homes, laboratories, pharmacies, and other partner establishments.
The issuance of guarantee letters is expected to resume in early January next year, upon the approval of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) and the downloading of funds from the DSWD Central Office to DSWD Field Office 7. ###