DSWD to digitalize issuance of guarantee letters

The issuance of guarantee letters (GL) will soon be digitalized as the government aims to make social services more accessible, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Wednesday. 

In an interview on GMA Integrated News' On Record, DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. has instructed the agency to ensure that the public can easily access government services.

She mentioned that the issuance of guarantee letters under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program would soon be available in an automated system.

''Ang utos po ng Pangulong Marcos Jr. tiyakin na maging convenient sa ating mga kababayan, yung pag-access sa mga services ng ating pamahalaan na hindi mo na kinakailangan pang pumila para po makatanggap ng tulong. Kaya meron din tayong isinusulong na automated client system para sa ating AICS program,'' she said. 

(President Marcos Jr. instructed us to make services accessible to the public wherein they no longer need to fall in line just to receive aid. We are pushing for an automated client system for our AICS program wherein beneficiaries no longer need to fall in line.)

''At 'yung issuance ng guarantee letter, automatic na po iyon doon sa service provider. Inaayos na lamang po, merong mga konting enhancements na lang doon sa system. And in-expect natin na within this first semester ay matatapos na 'yung first phase which is for the guarantee letter,'' she added.

(The issuance of the guarantee letters will be automatic. We're just fixing it because there are enhancements in the system. We expect that within the first semester, the first phase of the automated system will be finished.) 

Dumlao earlier said the agency resumed the release of GLs on January 5. It was suspended in November of last year as part of the annual year-end financial closing.

The GL is a document issued by the DSWD to eligible beneficiaries that ensures payment for approved medical and burial expenses to accredited service providers. —Anna Felicia Bajo/ VAL, GMA Integrated News