THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said that the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program is not exclusive to indigents but also available to middle-class Filipinos facing emergencies.
DSWD Crisis Intervention Program Director Edwin Morata said Friday that the agency is continually improving the program to respond to the changing needs of people affected by various crises.
Morata said that the AICS is designed to assist individuals and families whose financial capacity is overwhelmed by unexpected situations. “The AICS program is really not just for the poor,” he added.
Morata noted that disasters, health emergencies, and economic shocks can affect anyone regardless of social or economic status.
“Crises do not choose whether you are rich or poor, employed or unemployed, middle class or low-income, because everyone can be affected by disasters, energy emergencies, and health shocks,” he said.
“When a person or family faces a need that they were unprepared for and their financial capacity cannot meet that need, that is why we have this program, and it is open to everyone,” Morata added.
The DSWD said it has streamlined the AICS application process, reducing it to three major steps: queuing, assessment and interview, and release of assistance.
Applicants are required to present valid identification cards and supporting documents such as medical certificates, prescriptions, treatment protocols, statements of account, or laboratory requests with price quotations.
