Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian greets a beneficiary who received financial assistance, under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, during a payout activity in Butuan City on Saturday, March 18, 2023.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian greets a beneficiary who received financial assistance, under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, during a payout activity in Butuan City on Saturday, March 18, 2023.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Field Office (FO) Caraga, held a financial assistance payout at the Father Saturnino Urios University  gymnasium, Butuan City on March 18, 2023 to aid in the recovery of families affected by recent floods brought by various weather disturbances, coupled with the rising prices of commodities due to global inflation.

Led by Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the payout activity provided cash assistance, under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, to 3,680 eligible families identified and referred in partnership with the Congressional 1st District Office of Agusan del Norte and the City Government of Butuan.

The payout activity was also graced by DSWD Caraga Regional Director Mari-Flor A. Dollaga, Agusan del Norte 1st District Representative Jose Aquino II, and Butuan City Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada.

Aside from the payout, Secretary Gatchalian held a meeting with local chief executives (LCEs) in Agusan del Norte, led by Provincial Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante, Representative Aquino, and Mayor Lagnada, to strengthen the delivery of social protection programs and services in the province.

“I would like to discuss with you our other programs, because we do not like our image to just be the provider of disaster aid. We have programs like the KALAHI-CIDSS, and the Sustainable Livelihood Program, which I think will help your constituents better,” Secretary Gatchalian said.

The DSWD Secretary is expected to continue to meet with other local chief executives in the next weeks to improve the Department’s coordination with local government units and determine other areas for partnership. ###