Beneficiaries seeking government assistance no longer need to line up before dawn as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) expands operations at its Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) satellite office along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

The DSWD said the upgraded CIU facility at Paragon Place now operates as a larger, three-story, fully air-conditioned hub designed to speed up processing under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program while providing a more orderly and comfortable environment for clients.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the expansion aims to eliminate long queues that previously formed outside DSWD offices.

“We always remind the public that there is no need to come very early, even if you already have a scheduled day, because the process is fast,” Gatchalian said in Filipino in a radio interview on Tuesday, March 3.

To manage the daily influx of clients and prevent overcrowding, the agency imposed a limit of 1,400 beneficiaries per day.

Individuals who arrive after the cutoff are issued QR codes containing their scheduled return date, allowing them to secure assistance without waiting in long lines or staying overnight.

“Those who exceed the 1,400 daily limit are given a QR code with a schedule… Once you have a QR code, even if you arrive at noon or one in the afternoon, your slot is assured,” Gatchalian explained.

The DSWD chief also clarified that congestion previously observed at the DSWD Field Office–National Capital Region (FO-NCR) in Sampaloc, Manila was temporary and linked to the delayed rollout of offsite payouts earlier this year while budget guidelines were still being finalized.

He said offsite payouts have already resumed, with FO-NCR teams deploying directly to barangays and covered courts to bring assistance closer to beneficiaries and reduce foot traffic in DSWD offices.

Gatchalian also reiterated the department’s strict policy prohibiting the conduct of payouts in areas where politicians, political staff, or campaign materials are present.

“We will not proceed, we will not go there, we will not conduct payouts—our cashiers will not even step out of the vehicle if a politician is present in the area,” he said.

Field Office personnel have been instructed to cancel or withdraw operations from any site where politicians are present, regardless of rank or political affiliation.

Gatchalian said the policy is intended to protect the integrity of government assistance programs and ensure that aid distribution remains free from political influence while maintaining orderly and dignified service for beneficiaries.