Public warned vs. faking documents to get emergency assistance

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Friday warned the public against submitting fake documentary requirements to get emergency assistance.

In a statement, the DSWD said it is pleased to facilitate requests for assistance through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, however, it warned those who falsify requirements that they will face appropriate sanctions.

According to the DSWD, the AICS program provides aid to individuals and families in crisis who are seeking assistance for medical, funeral, food, transportation, educational, and other support services.

“In an effort to make the program more accessible, the DSWD streamlined the program process to ensure that the clients will not be burdened by the requirements,” the department said.

“However, this more lenient process might be taken advantage of by unscrupulous individuals to offer fake documents to beneficiaries as well as to abusive clients who use falsified documents,” it added.

DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo earlier warned fixers and unscrupulous individuals compromising the integrity of the program that they will face sanctions.

The department also appealed to the public to report fixers and unscrupulous individuals using fake documents to avail these assistance.

Financial assistance for Typhoon Odette victims

Meanwhile, the DSWD said it will speed up the implementation of Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) for families affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette that hit Visayas and Mindanao in December 2021.

This after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) granted its request for a special allotment amounting to over P1.5 billion for the repair of 153,410 totally damaged houses in Regions VI, VIII, X, and CARAGA, according to the DSWD.

The DSWD said MIMAROPA and Region VII shall be covered under the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP) of the National Housing Authority (NHA).

The department said it will provide P10,000 financial assistance to augment resources of the affected families to purchase construction materials in repairing their damaged houses.

It added that guidelines were being prepared for the effective implementation of ESA.

Meanwhile, concerned DSWD field offices were also directed to coordinate with affected local government units to determine the rightful beneficiaries of the program and ensure that their documentary requirements are complete.—Richa Noriega/AOL, GMA News