The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Cordillera has provided P87.4 million worth of assistance to 14,873 clients through its Expanded Assistance to Individuals in Crises Situation (E-AICS).
The E-AICS is one of the social welfare and protection services of the DSWD which aims to address the immediate needs of an individual or family through the provision of assistance which may come in the form of a guarantee letter, family food packs or financial aid.
Through the Crisis Intervention Section (CIS), medical, financial, burial, education, food, and transportation assistance are given to individuals or families who are in difficult circumstances such as sudden loss of income, accident, and natural disasters.
In 2020, the DSWD provided medical assistance to 8,651 individuals and educational assistance to 4,558 students. There were 854 clients provided with financial assistance, 740 with burial assistance, 50 with transportation assistance, and 20 with food assistance.
Out of these numbers, Baguio City records the highest number of clients served with 5,670, followed by Benguet with 3,188, Abra with 1,619, Mountain Province with 1,382, Kalinga with 840, Ifugao with 635, and other provinces outside CAR with 36.
“We would like to remind the public that under the E-AICS, the DSWD provides assistance based on the needs of the clients. From their respective local social welfare and development offices, clients coming to our office are assessed by our social workers and are provided with appropriate interventions based on the professional judgment and documents presented,” DSWD OIC Regional Director Leo L. Quintilla said.
“The E-AICS is not a dole-out program where we regularly provide assistance. This service aims to help individuals and families get through difficult situations they are currently experiencing. Tutulungan natin sila base sa kanilang pangangailangan upang malagpasan nila ang problema na kanilang kinakaharap,” Quintilla said.
Individuals who are in need of the assistance may visit the nearest local social welfare and development office in their locality. Queries may also be done by contacting (074) 661-04-30 loc.25003 or (02) 396-65-80. – Nerizza Faye V. Trinidad
April 23, 2024
