ILOILO – The Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 6 (DSWD-6) temporarily suspended the issuance of Guarantee Letters (GL) under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program and the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) beginning November 30.
The agency, in a recent public advisory, said the temporary halt to GL issuance will allow personnel sufficient time to process payments to service providers and hospitals.
The suspension is in accordance with a memorandum issued by the DSWD Central Office for all regions and in compliance with Financial Management Guideline No. 53 (2025).
However, DSWD clarified that the provision of services under AICS and AKAP will continue, including funeral, food, medical, educational, and cash relief assistance.
“The office assures the public that services under AICS and AKAP will continue for all those in need, despite the limited financial support,” the agency added.
As of November 20, AICS has served 664,998 clients, distributing P2,989,244,628 worth of assistance, including funeral, food, medical, educational, and cash relief support.
Under AKAP, 500,679 clients have received a total of P2,127,839,551 in assistance, covering food assistance, funeral assistance, medical assistance, and cash relief.
The AICS program is designed for individuals and families assessed by DSWD social workers to be in an “active crisis” or “crisis situation,” requiring financial or material aid from the national government—whether or not it supplements assistance provided by local government units.
In general, any individual—indigent or not—who is experiencing a crisis or difficult life situation may receive food, medical, funeral, cash, or relief assistance through AICS.
Meanwhile, AKAP provides support to individuals whose income does not exceed the statutory minimum wage and who are severely affected by rising inflation. Assistance may include food, medical, funeral, cash relief, or other financial aid./PN