The Department of Social Welfare and Development's memorandum of agreement (MOA ) on the issuance of guarantee letters with a new set of medical and pharmaceutical companies will ensure that taxpayers' money is protected under the agency's Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian over the weekend underscored the value of the guarantee letters (GL) under the MOA with the new set of service providers during the ceremonial signing held at the Great Eastern Hotel in Quezon City on Saturday, 11 November.

"Because it's a guarantee letter, because of you, nase-safeguard ang pera ng taumbayan [we safeguard the taxpayers' money]. Because when they come to us and they say it's medicine, instead of giving cash, we write a guarantee letter. Wala silang choice kundi ibili ng gamot. Iyon ang beauty ng [That is what good about] guarantee letter," Gatchalian said in his speech.

The guarantee letters, Gatchalian said, will help ensure that the assistance and support from the government, through the DSWD, will go directly to its beneficiaries for the intended purpose.

"When you say it is for medicine, it is intended for medicine. When you say it's for hearing aid, it's for hearing aid," the DSWD chief pointed out.

The DSWD secretary emphasized that the signed MOA and the partnership with the service providers guarantee that taxpayers' money is protected.

"The guarantee letter is a foolproof mechanism to prevent system loss," Gatchalian said.

During the ceremonial signing of the MOA, Gatchalian formalized and strengthened the agency's partnership with 25 new hospitals, medical centers, and pharmaceutical firms to expand the services and benefits under the AICS program of the DSWD.

Gatchalian, also in his speech, stressed the importance of private and government partnerships in delivering services for DSWD clients who are seeking medical assistance and support.

"We know that helping the poor, and the vulnerable cannot be done by the government alone…Despite all the stories about working with the government, you still took up the challenge and wanted to sign up with us," Gatchalian said.