The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported that nearly 8 million Filipinos have availed themselves of the agency’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program as of October this year.

The figure includes more than 600,000 beneficiaries who received assistance via guarantee letters through the department’s collaboration with various service providers.

AICS serves as a safety net, offering immediate and temporary assistance for individuals and families experiencing any form of crisis, regardless of social class.

The AICS program covers medical and burial assistance. The guarantee letters issued by the DSWD assure hospitals, pharmacies, and similar entities of payment for services rendered to the beneficiary.

To enhance the delivery of aid, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian led a ceremonial signing recently of a memorandum of agreement to strengthen collaboration with numerous service providers.

“For countless Filipino families, AICS has served as a lifeline, bringing hope, relief, and dignity during their most challenging times. Everyday thousands of Filipinos were given hope by this program,” Gatchalian said.

The partners include a range of institutions such as hospitals, pharmacies, diagnostic centers, therapy and learning centers, medical implant distributors, and dialysis centers.

Participating hospitals included Christ the King Medical Center-Unihealth Las Piñas, Dr. Cabuco Hospital, National Children’s Hospital, and Ospital ng Muntinlupa, among others.