For nearly three decades, illness has been a constant companion of Lilybeth Razon, a former government employee.

But despite living with a debilitating skin condition while caring for a husband battling prostate cancer, Lilybeth has remained steadfast, drawing strength from her family, her faith, and support from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.

During the latest episode of AICS Chronicles, Lilybeth shared that her health ordeal began in 1997 when an unexplained redness appeared on her skin. Years later, after undergoing laboratory examinations, doctors confirmed that she was suffering from atopic dermatitis, while further tests revealed skin cancer.

“Noong 1997 nag-umpisa na akong namumula. Then na-detect ito noong 2013 na atopic dermatitis, pero noong nag-laboratory ako ng KOH (Potassium Hydroxide) at biopsy, ito ay lumabas na skin cancer,” Lilybeth sadly recalled.

Faced with mounting medical expenses, the cancer patient currently living in Sampaloc, Manila turned to the DSWD after learning that assistance was available for those in need.

“Mayroon pong nakapagsabi sa akin na kaysa sa bulsa pa namin nanggagaling ang gamot, pwede kami lumapit sa DSWD kahit saang branch. Ito ay malaking bagay talaga sa mga taong may mga sakit,” Lilybeth said.

For more than 15 years, she has consistently sought DSWD assistance through the AICS program to help cover the cost of her maintenance medicines.

“Siguro hindi lang po labinlimang taon (ako) na nagpupunta dito para makahingi po ng tulong na pambili ng mga gamot namin. Ang everyday gastos ko Php3,175, per day yun, hindi pa kasama doon yung mga cream,” Lilybeth shared.

According to her, the DSWD’s assistance has significantly eased the burden of sustaining her long-term treatment.

“Ito po ay nakakadugtong ng buhay namin at malaking bagay po ito. Every three months po ay lumalapit po kami dito at hindi naman po kami hinihindian. Malaking bagay po para sa amin na may mga sakit,” Lilybeth said.

One of the most meaningful improvements she has experienced is the use of Guarantee Letters (GLs), which allows the DSWD assistance to be directly used for medicines and other medical services.

“Dati Php20,000 pa ang nakukuha, eh ngayon po, noong nalaman ko pong may Guarantee Letter na, mas malaking bagay po yung Guarantee Letter. Kasi po, kapag hawak mo na ang pera, minsan hindi mo na po nabibili ang gamot, eh. Minsan, nabibighani ka kung anong bibilhin mo sa mall. Simula noon, hindi na ako kumuha ng cash, ang kinukuha ko na lang ay Guarantee Letter para tuloy-tuloy ko pong mainom ang gamot,” Lilybeth explained.

Despite years of health challenges, she continues to persevere, motivated by the people who depend on her.

“Lumalaban pa kasi mayroon pa akong mga anak at may asawa rin ako na may sakit. May prostate cancer ang asawa ko. Humuhugot ako ng lakas sa itaas, sa Panginoon, dahil talagang doon lang po talaga tayo humihingi ng gabay,” Lilybeth said.

As she continues her journey toward recovery, Lilybeth expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the DSWD and its social workers for the assistance they have consistently provided.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa DSWD at sa mga social workers na kumakatawan sa kanila. Napakababait nila. Sana ipagpatuloy nila ang project na ito at maraming makikinabang pong tao,” Lilybeth said.

Through social welfare programs like AICS, the DSWD, under the leadership of Secretary Rex Gatchalian, continues to provide timely financial and other forms of assistance to families and individuals facing crises. This is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure that vulnerable Filipinos receive immediate and rightful government support when they need it most.

The AICS Chronicles is an online program of the DSWD hosted by Media Relations Officer Mel Cabigting of the Traditional Media Service (TMS).

The program, which airs every other Monday on the DSWD Facebook page, features the real-life stories of individuals and families who overcame crisis through the AICS program. (CC)