Close to one million Filipinos received medical support from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) during the first half of 2025 through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.

DSWD spokesperson Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao on Wednesday, July 16, said from January to June, the agency’s Crisis Intervention Unit assisted 953,560 individuals, disbursing over P8.5 billion in medical aid.

Of those assisted, 670,825 received direct cash aid, while 282,735 were issued guarantee letters covering expenses such as hospitalization, medicines, and diagnostic tests.

Outright cash assistance can be provided up to P10,000 for medical aid, while guarantee letters are commonly issued to help clients cover hospital expenses or purchase maintenance medications.

"A sudden illness or medical emergency can cripple a family that is already struggling. The same is true for our clients who may have sufficient means or income, but when someone in the family gets sick, they face a major blow and crisis. Through our AICS program, we provide appropriate support so they can access the medical services or interventions they need, and eventually recover," Dumlao said in a mix of English and Filipino.

She pointed out that all beneficiaries are evaluated by social workers to determine the appropriate form and amount of assistance.

“Every client undergoes an assessment by our social workers so we can determine the amount of assistance they need—whether it’s for maintenance medicines, crucial medical treatment, or for those dealing with illnesses that require regular medical interventions,” she said.

Since its launch in 2014, the AICS medical assistance program has helped over 8.5 million Filipinos.

“Medical aid is one of the most concrete ways we fulfill our role as lead agency in social safety nets. We do not want any Filipino to be left alone during their most vulnerable moment and rest assured that the direction of the developments or innovations that we are leading are always for the best interest of our kababayans (countrymen),” Dumlao said.