Being ill is never easy, but it is even harder for a parent to watch their child suffer from sickness. This is the reality faced by 26-year-old Niño Cedric Omerez, a resident of Purok 2, Brgy. Sto. Rosario, Magallanes, Agusan del Norte. His nine-month-old child was rushed to the hospital due to Acute Asthmatic Bronchitis in Acute Exacerbation.

Niño works as a laborer, earning less than ₱5,000 a month—barely enough to support their family’s daily needs, especially since he is the sole breadwinner. But their burden grew heavier when his child fell ill and the hospital bill amounted to more than they could possibly afford. Without anyone else to turn to, Niño sought help from agencies that could assist, one of them being the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga.

“The hospital bill reached over ₱16,000. We didn’t have that kind of money, so we asked for help so my child could be discharged. I am deeply grateful to the DSWD for helping our family. The process was not difficult or time-consuming, and the staff truly took care of us,” Niño shared.

Through the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, Niño and his family received support in their time of crisis. AICS is an initiative designed to provide aid to individuals and families experiencing hardship or emergencies such as severe illness, tragedy, or sudden unforeseen events.

This program reflects DSWD’s mission to remain a friend and pillar of support for Filipinos in need.

If you or your family are experiencing a crisis, do not hesitate to approach DSWD Caraga or our Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) Offices in the provinces of Caraga. We are ready to help you.