CARMEN, North Cotabato – Sen. Imee Marcos distributed on Sunday, March 24, cash aid totaling P16 million from the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to 5,000 recipients in this province.

SEN. Imee R. Marcos on Sunday, March 24, led the distribution of cash assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program to 5,000 beneficiaries in Carmen, North Cotabato, with Gov. Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza and daughter Rep. Maria Alana Samantha Taliño-Santos and DSWD-12 Director Loreto V. Cambaya Jr. (Ivy Tejano)
The Senate finance sub-committee head in charge of the DSWD was assisted by Gov. Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza and her daughter Rep. Maria Alana Samantha Taliño-Santos and DSWD-12 Director Loreto V. Cambaya Jr.
Cambaya said that 3,000 recipients from various sectors, such as women, Persons with Disabilities, solo parents, and senior citizens from Carmen and Kabacan towns received P2,000 cash aid in addition to the rice assistance provided earlier by the provincial government.
Two-thousand agricultural students from the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) received P5,000 cash for their educational needs, Cambaya said, adding that they validated the list of beneficiaries before the event.
Marcos emphasized the significance of the aid for beneficiaries and that marginalized sectors need help due to the impact of the pandemic.
“Everyone is catching up, especially the students. The tuition is free in public schools, except for transportation, allowance, and other expenses. Thus, the additional assistance. The province has many counterparts; they were the first to assist many beneficiaries in the province,” Marcos said.
Marcos said more help is needed for the students to complete their bachelor’s degree and later help their families. She added that her office prioritizes those in third and fourth-year college to ensure they will graduate, find a job, and support their families.
The AICS is a program of the DSWD that offers financial and material support, psychosocial intervention, and referrals to other services to individuals across the nation facing various needs. It provides medical assistance, burial, transportation, education, food, or financial aid.