The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga, has served over 16,700 clients (and counting) who are in different crisis situations since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic/quarantine period.
Distressed individuals from the following provinces have been served by the program as of this posting – Agusan del Norte (7,711) Agusan del Sur (1,670), Surigao del Norte (2,423), Surigao del Sur (4,255), and Province of Dinagat Islands (497). There were also 144 clients served by the Field Office who were residents from other regions.
AICS is one of the programs of the government which addresses the needs of people who are facing difficulties or are in a crisis situation. Most common request for aid is for financial support in their problems concerning medical bills, lack of educational funds, burial financial assistance, food aid, and travel allowance for stranded individuals.
A total amount of P62,789,175.27 has been given to individuals through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program. The clients were provided with at least two types of assistance through the program, such as financial, advice-giving, referrals, hot meals, and food packs.
Php41,093,358.49 was disbursed for medical assistance, Php11,023,900 for burial assistance, Php324,621.78 for transportation assistance, Php320,500 for educational assistance Php2,259,624 for food assistance, and Php7,767,171 for cash assistance.
The clients were also provided psycho-social services for their emotional and psychological needs. Referrals to other agencies were also facilitated in case the Agency cannot provide the required services requested by the clients.
Despite the threats of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Agency is still doing its best to provide for the needs of clients who visit the Field Office, and the various satellite offices to avail of the program. Clients are just being reminded to follow strict health protocols like wearing face masks/shields, and following proper social distancing when availing of the said program.###
