DSWD: AICS not just for the poor

An official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Saturday debunked misconceptions that the agency’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) is "only for the poor."

“For AICS, wala kaming tinitignan it can be low or high income. It can be rich or poor. It can be professional or not, may trabaho o wala,” said DSWD Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) Director Edwin Morata at the Saturday News Forum.

(For AICS, we don't look at anything, it can be low or high income. It can be rich or poor. It can be professional or not, with a job or not.)

Morata emphasized that the AICS is a “catch-all” stop-gap measure and assistance program being provided by the agency, which would depend on the situation being faced by a requesting individual.

He also added that the initiative is not just a cash aid program but also includes psychosocial interventions such as psychological first aid, counseling, and others.

These are on top of financial and other aid to help individuals cope with crisis situations like illness, death, or job loss.

AICS provides medical assistance, burial, transportation, education, food, or financial assistance or other support services or needs of a person or family experiencing crises. —VAL, GMA Integrated News