Latest news with #AssistancetoIndividualsinCrisisSituation
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
House Bill making AICS 'permanent' approved on final reading
The House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill making the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) a permanent program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on third and final reading late Wednesday night. This happened as all 176 House members voted yes for the passage of House Bill 11395 on An Act Institutionalizing the AICS Program. House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas of Gabriela party-list, who voted yes with reservations on the measure, said making the AICS program permanent is "necessary" but should not be used by public officials to promote themselves. "We recognize that it is the mandate of the State to provide adequate assistance, social services, projects, and programs geared towards alleviating poverty and improving the quality of life of Filipinos. Sa harap ng hindi maampat-ampat na presyo ng mga bilihin at bayarin, mataas na inflation rate (In the face of unsustainable prices of goods and services, high inflation rate)... The need for an immediate economic relief will always be there," Brosas said. "Hindi natin kinukuwestiyon ang pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan para sa agarang tulong (We do not question the citizens' need for immediate assistance.)... Rather, we are particularly worried about those who are in the position to provide assistance, but takes it as an opportunity to forward their personal and political interests," Brosas added. Brosas said that government policies should not promote political patronage and mendicancy but instead emphasize that government assistance is funded by the taxpayers' money. "As legislators and as public servants, let us be true to our mandate to put forward measures that will alleviate poverty and address the deepening inequality in our country towards genuinely raising the quality of life of Filipinos," Brosas said. Latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed that 63% self-rated poverty among Filipinos, the highest in 21 years. The same poll showed that involuntary hunger among Filipino families, on the other hand, doubled to 7.5 million in March 2025 from 2.9 million from June 2022. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
29-05-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
92 Mercury Drug stores to accept guarantee letters from AICS, AKAP beneficiaries
Several Mercury Drug stores nationwide will accept guarantee letters (GL) from the beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) starting June 2. According to Isa Avendaño-Umali's report on Super Radyo dzBB on Thursday, 92 branches of the pharmacy brand will recognize the letters issued by the DSWD to help beneficiaries save money in purchasing medicines. The participating outlets will accept GLs issued by the DSWD Central Office and field offices in the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, SOCSKSARGEN, and Caraga. AICS is targeted to individuals or families who are experiencing crisis, tragedy, or severe poverty. On the other hand, AKAP is meant for individuals earning below the minimum wage. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BM, GMA Integrated News
