The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday (June 1) reminded its clients availing of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation AICS) to go the satellite offices that are nearest to their places of residence.

“Beginning today, June 1, AICS clients should go to the DSWD satellite office nearest their areas of residence as this will be more convenient and economical for them,” DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez said.

AICS serves as a social safety net or a stop-gap mechanism to support the recovery of individuals and families from unexpected crises such as illness or death of a family member, natural and man-made disasters, and other crisis situations.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian ordered the establishment of AICS satellite processing areas in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to provide government assistance in the easiest and fastest way possible to those in need.

Asst. Secretary Lopez reiterated that clients residing in Northern Metro Manila, which covers the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela, should go to Camanava satellite office located at the Victory Trade Plaza in Monumento, Caloocan City.

Residents of the southern Metro Manila cities of Pasay, Parañaque, Muntinlupa and Las Piñas can request for their AICS at the Baclaran Satellite Office located at the Victory Food Market beside Baclaran Church, according to the DSWD spokesperson.

Residents in the municipalities of Norzagaray, Sta. Maria, Angat and the city of San Jose del Monte (SJDM) in Bulacan will be serviced by the SJDM Satellite Office situated at Starmall in Barangay Kaypian.

Those residing in the cities of Manila, San Juan, Mandaluyong and Makati can get their AICS at the DSWD NCR Regional Office along Legarda Street in Manila while those residing in Quezon City can go to the DSWD Central Office in Batasan Road.

Assistant Secretary for Community Engagement Uly Aguilar said the setting up of AICS satellite offices was primarily aimed at bringing DSWD’s various services and interventions closer to Metro Manila and Bulacan province residents.

“This initiative is one way of decongesting our existing AICS payout areas, and to deliver services under AICS directly to our clients from different parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces,” Asst. Secretary Aguilar said.

Asst. Secretary Aguilar said the DSWD will also soon open satellite offices in Pasig City and Rodriguez, Rizal to service those living in the Eastern part of Metro Manila and Rizal.

The Pasig satellite office aims to deliver various forms of assistance under the AICS program, directly to clients residing in the eastern Metro Manila cities of Pasig, Marikina, Taguig and the municipality of Pateros. #