DSWD resumes guarantee letters for medical, burial aid

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has resumed the issuance of guarantee letters (GLs)for medical and burial assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program starting Monday.

A GL is a document issued by the DSWD to guarantee payment to accredited service providers for approved medical and burial expenses of qualified beneficiaries. The agency said clients may now visit the nearest DSWD field offices to process their GL requests.

“Gaya po ng nai-commit natin nuong Disyembre, agad po naming ni-resume ang pag-iisyu ng Guarantee Letters ngayong Enero 5 para masigurong agad na maipagpatuloy ang pagbibigay ng tulong para sa medical at burial assistance ng mga kwalipikadong kliyente, lalo na yung mga dumadaan sa matinding krisis,” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said.

“Alam naming malaking bagay ang GL para maibsan ang nararanasang krisis ng ating mga bulnerableng kababayan,” the DSWD spokesperson added.

While the issuance of GLs has resumed, the DSWD clarified that direct cash assistance under the AICS program remains temporarily suspended in line with existing policies of the Department of Budget and Management(DBM) and pending the release of funds under the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the P6.793-trillion 2026 GAA on Monday. The AICS program has drawn scrutiny from political watchdogs, who have flagged it as being vulnerable to “soft pork” and political interference.

The DSWD reported that 8.3 million Filipinos nationwide received assistance under AICS from January to November 2025, exceeding the agency’s target for the year.

“Sa ngayon, naka-hold muna ang direct cash assistance dahil hinihintay bilang pagsunod sa panuntunan ng DBM ukol sa paggamit ng pondo mula sa 2026 GAA,” Dumlao said.

“Makakaasa ang mga nakararanas ng krisis na agad nating sisimulan ang assistance na ito kapag mayroon ng nakalaang pondo para dito. Pero inuulit po namin na patuloy naman po ang ating serbisyo sa pamamagitan ng Guarantee Letters para hindi maantala ang kinakailangang tulong,” she added.

Clients seeking assistance were advised to visit the nearest DSWD Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU), Social Welfare and Development Office (SWDO), or satellite office in their locality or region to process requests.

The complete list of DSWD offices nationwide is available on the agency’s official website. The DSWD also urged the public to regularly check its verified website and social media pages for updates on the AICS program and other social protection services.