DSWD to resume cash grants to people in crisis

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3) — Cash aid for people in crisis will resume soon, the social welfare department spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Romel Lopez said the agency is simply waiting for the release of its budget before processing claims under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), which may take a week or two.

He said guarantee letters issued to beneficiaries may be used until cash grants are released.

“Maaari pa naman pong mag-proseso ng assistance ang inyong DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) sa mga kliyente na yung service provider nila — halimbawa yung ospital o punerarya — ay tumatanggap o kinikilala yung guarantee letter ng DSWD,” Lopez explained.

[Translation: The DSWD may still process assistance to clients whose service providers — for instance, hospitals or funeral homes — accept or recognize guarantee letters from the DSWD.]

Lopez said the delay in claims processing typically happens at the beginning of every new year but distribution of cash grants usually resumes within the first two weeks of January.

The AICS provides cash aid to families or individuals experiencing unexpected crises such as illness or death. Last year, the DSWD provided grants to indigent students under the program.

Meanwhile, the DSWD said it has provided over ₱85 million worth of aid to Filipinos affected by floods triggered heavy rains in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Lopez said these include food and non-food items, and cash assistance distributed to victims in Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and CARAGA.