The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Thursday, Nov. 12, that it will temporarily suspend the issuance of guarantee letters (GL) under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program to allow for the completion of the annual liquidation process and facilitate payments to service providers who have already assisted beneficiaries.
The DSWD issues a guarantee letter to service providers on behalf of the beneficiary, ensuring payment for services, particularly for medical and burial expenses.
“We have already issued guidance to our field offices to observe the last day for issuing guarantee letters, which should be no later than Dec. 13,” DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao said in Filipino during the agency’s weekly media forum.
Dumlao assured that the suspension of GL issuance will not affect the provision of AICS assistance to those in crisis. Clients in need can still access cash assistance up to P10,000.
“The DSWD will continue to assist AICS clients, but for now, we will provide cash assistance of P10,000 or less. Next year, after settling all obligation requests and disbursement vouchers, we will resume issuing guarantee letters,” she explained.
Dumlao also announced the suspension of its offsite payouts to focus on finalizing financial requirements.
“Offsite payouts, such as those held at covered courts or barangay halls, will be paused. We encourage our clients to visit our satellite offices or field offices instead,” she added.