The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided aid to more than 6 million Filipinos facing difficult circumstances through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program from January to November 2024.

In a report on Monday, DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the number of clients served under the AICS is more than the program’s 2024 annual total target of 4,254,440 beneficiaries.

“In 2023, we had an annual target of over one million for AICS but eventually the DSWD made some adjustments because we served four times the said number. For 2024, we raised it up to 4.2 million, and surpassed it again as we really strived to help as many people as we can within the bounds of our allotted budget,” Dumlao said.

The bulk of the beneficiaries served were from the National Capital Region with more than 820,000 individuals provided with assistance.

“Under the menu of our AICS program, beneficiaries were provided with different interventions, including medical, food, cash, burial/funeral, and transportation, as well as psychosocial support, among others,” Dumlao said.

The DSWD spokesperson pointed out that food assistance, followed by medical aid, and psychosocial support, were the most-sought after services under the AICS.

“All clients were assessed by our social workers who determine the types of assistance that best correspond to their needs,” she said.

Additonally, she said more than 190,000 individuals received services from different Malasakit Centers around the country.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop-shop located in various hospitals of the Department of Health, the Philippine General Hospital and other public hospitals nationwide where indigent patients as well as those who are financially incapacitated can access medical and cash aid from various government agencies such as the DSWD, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Dumlao reiterated that the agency would continue to sustain the protective services so that many Filipinos in need will be assisted, as envisioned by the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Over 1K trafficked persons aided

Meanwhile, Dumlao reported that 1,560 trafficked persons were provided with a comprehensive package of services in 2024 for their recovery and reintegration into their families and communities.

She said the victim-survivors received interventions and assistance to ensure their psychosocial, social, and economic needs through the DSWD’s Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP).

Services under the RRPTP include case management that analyze the challenges faced by victim-survivors and identify the needed interventions, and the provision of basic hygiene kit, food and financial assistance while awaiting employment or undergoing training.

Educational and medical assistance are also extended to the victim-survivors while referral to potential employers or business partners are still underway.

“We also provide trainings, auxiliary services for victim-survivors and witnesses in ongoing cases, and temporary shelter through the DSWD’s center and residential care facilities,” Dumlao said.

She said cases of trafficking in persons include forced labor, sexual exploitation, prostitution, illegal recruitment, child trafficking, and repatriation.

“As the co-chair of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking and the lead agency in social protection, we reaffirm our commitment to protect the victim-survivors of trafficking and any kind of abuse. We condemn any act of violence,” Dumlao said. (PNA)