Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera (Rep. Herrera's office)

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has been praised for expanding the use of guarantee letters (GLs) in order to help indigent patients access essential prescription medicines, and children with special needs get much-needed therapies.

During her interpellation at the House Committee on Appropriations hearing on the agency’s proposed 2025 budget, Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera sought confirmation from DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian about the new agreements with private drug stores as well as the inclusion of services for children with special needs under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.

Gatchalian reported that the DSWD had entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with several private drug stores, including Rose Pharmacy, South Star, and The Generics Pharmacy.

He added that the agency was also finalizing an agreement with pharmaceutical retail giant Mercury Drug.

These partnerships will enable indigent patients to access prescription medicines using DSWD GLs, a proposal that Herrera has passionately advocated for.

“I am thrilled to know that the DSWD has taken significant steps in making this proposal a reality,” said the House deputy minority leader.

“This initiative will greatly benefit our indigent constituents, who often struggle to afford essential prescription medicines. I have been advocating for this since my time as a councilor in Quezon City, and I am very pleased to see it coming to fruition at a national level,” Herrera said.

In addition to the progress on the GLs for medicines, Herrera was also pleased to learn from Gatchalian that GLs from the agency now cover therapy and other interventions for children with special needs.

This aligns with another Herrera proposal, which ensures that vulnerable children receive the necessary support without financial barriers.

“I am very grateful to Secretary Gatchalian and the DSWD for being proactive and responsive to the needs of our most vulnerable citizens, particularly children with special needs,” Herrera said.

“The inclusion of therapy and interventions under the AICS program will make a significant difference in their lives,” added the veteran solon from Quezon City.

Herrera further emphasized the importance of broad information dissemination to ensure that hospitals and rehabilitation centers are aware of these developments and that they can properly guide patients in utilizing the DSWD guarantee letters.

“This is a major step forward, but it is crucial that all stakeholders, especially those in the healthcare sector, are informed about these changes so they can assist patients in accessing the benefits they are entitled to,” Herrera said.