First District Cong. Edgar Chatto lauded the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on its implementation of one of its major programs, which is the Aid to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS).
In the Committee on Appropriations Budget Briefing in Congress, the DSWD reported that 1.17 million individuals were served under the said program as of half of fiscal year 2021. The total amount of the aid given was P17.88 billion.
DSWD Region 7 reported that over P30 million has been utilized by the First District of Bohol as of July 2021, majority of which were given to beneficiaries for medical assistance.
The agency explained that the demand for the program increased especially with continuing response to the Coronavirus disease (Covid) pandemic, particularly to pay for hospitalization, in addition to common medical needs such as maintenance medication, dialysis, chemotherapy, among others.
AICS also gave aids to those who need funds for burial, education, food, transportation, among others.
This year, the DSWD seeks an P18 billion budget for AICS alone, and P191 billion for the entire agency and for its major programs.
DSWD outlined its major programs to include social pension for indigent senior citizens, protective services, Sustainable Livelihood Program, Supplementary Feeding Program KabitBisig Laban saKahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS), disaster response and rehabilitation program, provision of services for center-based clients, and provision of technical advisory assistance, and the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program.
Expressing gratitude to DSWD for its consistent support and assistance, Chatto vowed to support an increased budget allocation especially for AICS.