More than 6 million Filipinos facing difficult circumstances were provided with aid by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program from January to November 2024.

DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the number of clients served under the AICS is more than the program’s 2024 annual total target of 4,254,440 beneficiaries.

“In 2023, we had an annual target of over 1 million for AICS but eventually the DSWD made some adjustments because we served four times the said number. For 2024, we raised it up to 4.2 million, and surpassed it again as we really strived to help as many people as we can within the bounds of our allotted budget,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said on Monday (January 6).

The bulk of the beneficiaries served were from the National Capital Region (NCR) with more than 820,000 individuals who sought and were given assistance.

“Under the menu of our AICS program, beneficiaries were provided with different interventions, including medical, food, cash, burial/funeral, and transportation, as well as psychosocial support, among others,” Asst. Sec. Dumlao explained.

The DSWD spokesperson pointed out that food assistance, followed by medical aid, and psychosocial support were the most-sought after services under the AICS.

“All clients were assessed by our social workers who determine the types of assistance that best correspond to their needs,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.

Asst. Secretary Dumlao said more than 190,000 individuals received services from the different Malasakit Centers around the country.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop-shop located in various hospitals of the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), and other public hospitals nationwide where indigent patients as well as those who are currently financially incapacitated can access medical and cash aid from various government agencies such as the DSWD, PhilHealth, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

The DSWD spokesperson reiterated that the agency will continue to sustain the protective services so that many Filipinos in need will be assisted, as envisioned by the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (LSJ)

 

Tagalog Version

Mahigit 6M Pinoys na dumaan sa krisis, natulungan sa AICS program ng DSWD

Mahigit sa anim na milyong Pilipino na humarap sa krisis ng buhay ang nabigyan ng tulong ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) nitong nakaraang taon sa pamamagitan ng Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program ng ahensya.

Ayon kay DSWD Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao ang nasabing bilang ay mas mataas sa 2024 annual target na 4,254,440 beneficiaries na naserbisyuhan ng AICS.

“In 2023, we had an annual target of over 1 million for AICS but eventually the DSWD made some adjustments because we served four times the said number. For 2024, we raised it up to 4.2 million, and surpassed it again as we really strived to help as many people as we can within the bounds of our allotted budget,” sabi ni Asst. Secretary Dumlao.

Ayon kay Asst Secretary Dumlao, malaking bilang ng mga beneficiaries na natulungan ng AICS ay nagmula sa National Capital Region (NCR) na may bilang na 820,000 individuals.

“Under the menu of our AICS program, beneficiaries were provided with different interventions, including medical, food, cash, burial/funeral, and transportation, as well as psychosocial support, among others,” sabi pa ni Asst. Sec. Dumlao.

Dagdag pa ng DSWD spokesperson, ang mga serbisyong tulad ng food assistance, medical aid, at psychosocial support ang kadalasang tulong na hinihingi ng nga kliyente.

“All clients were assessed by our social workers who determine the types of assistance that best correspond to their needs,” ani Asst. Secretary Dumlao.

Bukod dito, sabi ni Asst. Secretary Dumlao mahigit sa 190,000 individuals din ang nakatanggap ng tulong mula naman sa iba’t-ibang Malasakit Centers sa bansa.

Ang Malasakit Center ay isang one-stop-shop na nasa iba’t-ibang public hospitals na hawak ng Department of Health (DOH), Philippine General Hospital (PGH), at iba pang pampublikong ospital, kung saan ang mga mahihirap na pasyente ay mabibigyan ng tulong medikal, pinansyal mula sa iba’t-ibang government agencies tulad ng DSWD, PhilHealth, at Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).# (MVC)