The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported on Saturday, Jan. 20, that over 6.5 million Filipinos facing “difficult circumstances” received assistance through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program from January to December last year.

In a statement, DSWD Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez highlighted the number of beneficiaries assisted was more than four times the program's annual target of 1,691,869 beneficiaries.
“It is evident that many of our kababayans (countrymen) need support from the government and we, at the DSWD, remain committed to responding to their immediate needs through the AICS program,” Lopez said.
The Calabarzon, according to him, turned out to be the region with most of the beneficiaries served by the DSWD, with over 870,000 individuals who sought assistance –these include medical aid, food cash, burial or funeral assistance, transportation support, and psychosocial support.
Food assistance topped the list of "most sought-after" services, followed by psychosocial support and medical aid.
Lopez pointed out that social workers evaluate the needs of each client to provide appropriate assistance.
Meanwhile, he also noted the Malasakit Center, a one-stop shop located in hospitals nationwide in facilitating access to vital support.
It has served over 314,700 individuals in different centers around the country.
Looking ahead, the DSWD pledged to continue implementing comprehensive protective services to reach even more Filipinos in need.