DSWD6 releases P2.3 billion-AICS in 2023

Iloilo City- The DSWD Field Office VI released a total of P2.3 billion in Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) last year.

The assistance consists of Medical Assistance, Burial Assistance, Food Assistance, Transportation Assistance and other Cash Assistance.

“Madamo nga indibidwal ang nabuligan naton paagi sa AICS sang 2023. Sa subong, padayon ang pagbulig sang amon opisina sa mga ara sa krisis nga sitwasyon,” said Atty. Carmelo N. Nochete, regional director.

According to him, the regional office currently operates its Action Center through provision of guarantee letters for those in need of medical and burial assistance. Those needing cash assistance are undergoing assessment and are scheduled for payout.

The aid released last year, if broken down, consists of Medical Assistance, P735.6 million; Burial Assistance, P156. 9 million; Transportation Assistance, P290,500; Food Assistance, P411.6 million; Cash Assistance, P894.3 million; and Educational Assistance, P112.6 million.

“Rest assured that our AICS teams, from GT Mall – Molo, Iloilo City and those in the Social Welfare and Development Actions (SWAD) teams in the provinces are ensuring client-friendly services for the people of Western Visayas,” said Director Nochete.

EXCEEDED EXPECTATION

Beverly Salazar, head of Crisis Intervention Section, said the office has exceeded target clients to be served for 2023.

“This is due to proactive provision of social assistance to victims of abuse, trafficking,
displaced workers, Overseas Filipino Workers from Israel and their families and disasters that reached 232,829,” said Salazar.

She added that in order to help mitigate hunger, food assistance is also provided to clients from Malasakit Centers.

“The provision of medical assistance also helps augment in the hospital bills, chemo session of cancer patients and dialysis of kidney patients,” she said.

CLIENTS SERVED

Overall, clients served reached 482,593. Those who received Medical Assistance reached 78,844 individuals; Cash Assistance, 232,829 individuals; Burial Assistance, 17,405; Food Assistance, 133,252; Educational Assistance 20,209; and Transportation Assistance, 54.
“We salute our staff who brave disasters and calamities as well as emergencies to help the Ilonggos.

This achievement is a product of hard work of our staff,” said Director Nochete./dswd6