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AICS benefits expanded

June 3, 2023 Jester P. Manalastas 272 views

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and different service providers signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to help in crisis situations with their medical, hospital and funeral bills.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said beneficiaries of the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program will be gaining from this agreement.

The agreement would formalize and strengthen the Department’s partnership with 25 hospitals, medical centers, and funeral homes in providing effective and efficient services to the beneficiaries of the AICS.

Gatchalian expressed his gratitude to the service providers for partnering with the DSWD in assisting eligible AICS clients with their medical or funeral needs through mutual obligations and responsibilities.

“AICS is becoming a by-word, but AICS won’t be as helpful if it weren’t for all of you. Thank you for all the services you provide to our clients here in DSWD,” the DSWD chief said.

Under the agreement, the service providers committed to recognizing the duly approved and authenticated guarantee letter from the DSWD to cover the cost of hospitalizations, medicines, assistive devices, as well as burial and funeral expenses requested by the AICS clients.

The DSWD will ensure that it has funds available for the services that will be granted or rendered by the service providers to the AICS beneficiaries.

DSWD Operations Group Undersecretary Monina Josefina H. Romualdez pointed out that the Department provided financial assistance amounting to more than P651 million in the form of guarantee letters in 2022.

The MOA also brings assurance to the public that all individuals or families in crisis situations, regardless of their patient category, whether private or service patients, will be provided with all services covered by the amount and other procedures stated in the guarantee letters issued by the DSWD.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte expressed her gratitude to the DSWD and the participating service providers for declaring their support of the program that will assist the City’s constituents.