Beginning March 13 (Monday), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Central Office, in coordination with the Quezon City local government, will temporarily transfer the Step 1 process for the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program at the QC-X Building of the Quezon Memorial Circle. The Step 1 includes the initial screening of documents, issuance of appointment schedules, and initial assessment of clients requesting for assistance at the Central Office.

This is in the meantime that the DSWD Central Office is enhancing its facility to provide a more conducive place for clients seeking assistance.

Acknowledging that more Filipinos are in dire need of assistance, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian has given directives to address this concern, focusing on short term and long term solutions.

Zero Lane Policy

In his directive to the Crisis Intervention Division (CID), which handles the AICS program of the Department, Secretary Gatchalian said the long-term goal for the system’s improvement would be to achieve zero lane policy, or no long lines of clients, and all will be served.

The Department has already explored short-term and long term interventions to address the current issue and to eventually achieve the zero lane policy.

Secretary Gatchalian pointed out that as a short term intervention, the Department is continuously coordinating with concerned authorities both from government and private groups for the identification of possible venues to serve as the remote site for the conduct of procedures under Step 1.

As for the long-term plan, the Secretary said, “Magbubukas tayo ng satellite offices all throughout Metro Manila.  Maglalagay tayo sa North Camanava area, sa South.  Bukod sa dalawa na Manila City offices natin, magbubukas din tayo sa East.  Para pag taga roon ka sa area, di ka na kailangan magpunta sa Central Office, kasi lahat ngayon nagpupunta sa Central eh” (We will open satellite offices all throughout Metro Manila, in the North Camanava area and in the South.  Aside from the two offices in the City of Manila, we will also open one in the East so that all those who reside in the area will no longer need to go to the Central Office).

The Secretary also reiterated his plan to automate the process of the AICS implementation for easier and faster service delivery as a long-term initiative.

Quezon Memorial Circle by March 13

The temporary site at the Quezon Memorial Circle will start accepting clients on March 13 from 5:00am to 3:00 pm, Mondays to Fridays, for the pre-assessment of documentary requirements and issuance of appointment schedules.

Meanwhile, the Department continues to remind the clients that aside from the Central Office, they can also go to the DSWD Field Offices and existing satellite offices near their areas to avail of the AICS.

The DSWD is constantly finding ways to better its system and processes in order to serve the increasing number of Filipinos seeking assistance.

The DSWD is constantly finding ways to better its system para makapagbigay ng Maagap at Mapagkalingang  serbisyo dahil  bawat buhay  ay mahalaga sa DSWD. ###