DSWD- 7 shells out P167M to assist people in crisis

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-7 has recently released about P167.4 million in assistance to 43,337 individuals in crisis situations since January until mid-September.

The DSWD-7 said that the Crisis Intervention Section and the Social Welfare and Development offices in the provinces of Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor had provided financial aid to these individuals who sought financial help for their respective emergency concerns.

For medical assistance, 12,904 clients had been served for their laboratory, operation, medicine, and other medical needs amounting to P85.7 million.

Food assistance was also provided to 8,714 people who are in crisis situations which amounted to P13.4 million, while other cash assistance worth P38.1 million benefited 4,997 clients.

For burial assistance, the agency has assisted 3,814 clients with a total disbursement of P21.9 million.

For educational assistance, 2,813 indigent students received financial aid amounting to P7.9 million.

DSWD-7 also assisted 85 stranded individuals for their transportation assistance amounting to P145,785.

Under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), the DSWD provides medical, burial, educational, transportation, food and other cash assistance to persons or families in crisis situations.

The beneficiaries are those who belong to the informal sector and other poor, marginalized, vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals or families.

DSWD-7 Regional Director Rebecca Geamala said that aside from the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) implemented by their agency during the community quarantine, they continuously cater to those who are in dire need of assistance through the AICS.

“We do whatever we can to best serve our clients by making the process faster and easier for them,” said Geamala in a statement.