For Arlene Amoren, asking other people for help was not easy. She is the type of person who works day and night to provide for her needs as well as for her family, without having to burden others.
But when she received the news that her mother-in-law was lying critically-ill in a hospital in Southern Leyte, for the first time in her life, she knocked on the doors of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for a plea for help.
“Lumapit po ako dito dahil po yung nanay [mother-in-law] ko, kritikal na po sa ospital. Dahil hindi po namin kaya ‘yung transpo naming mag-asawa kaya nanghihingi po kami ng tulong para makauwi kami habang buhay pa po ang biyenan ko. Para makausap ko siya habang buhay pa po siya kasi hinahanap kami palagi sa kanya [sister-in-law],” a tearful Arlene shared in an interview with AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations) Chronicles, the newest online documentary of the DSWD’s Strategic Communication group.
As narrated by Arlene, her mother-in-law, Servillana, had suffered a severe stroke and was no longer able to speak during the past several weeks.
“Tinawagan kami ng kapatid ng asawa ko, sabi nasa ospital siya, hindi na makapagsalita, tabingi na ang mukha, nasa ospital sa Dongon, Maasin, Southern Leyte,” Arlene told AICS Chronicles.
Lacking sufficient money for boat fare, Arlene was agonizing on each passing day without any good news on her mother-in-law’s improvement. She also feared they may not make it in time should they fail to book a trip back home in the soonest time possible.
Relentless, Arlene ultimately took the chance to seek help from the DSWD’s AICS.
The AICS is one of the social protection services of the DSWD that provides medical, burial, transportation, education, food, or financial assistance to individuals who are in crisis.
After submitting the needed requirements and undergoing the usual assessment, Arlene was able to secure transportation assistance under AICS.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa tulong ng DSWD. Hindi po talaga ako lalapit kung walang mabigat na dahilan. Kahit pamasahe lang po, okay na po basta makauwi kami. Para makausap pa po namin siya, kahit pandinig lang po,” said Arlene who was very much delighted to receive the aid.
Though Servillana was her mother-in-law, Arlene had long regarded her as a true mother. Servillana even once lived with them when she was still strong and has only returned recently so she can enjoy a peaceful and familiar environment in a place close to her heart.
This is the reason why for Arlene, the assistance she received from AICS meant more than a boat ticket. It was a chance for closure, for love, and for honoring her mother-in-law who treated her like a real daughter.
“First time ko po talaga na lumapit. Hindi ako lalapit ma’am kung walang problema, kung kaya lang namin. Maraming maraming salamat po sa DSWD, malaking tulong po ito sa amin para makauwi na kami sa aming probinsya para makita ang aking biyenan,” Arlene said with her eyes welling with tears.
Arlene is beyond grateful that the help did not come at a moment too late and she was met with a compassionate and timely response from a government that truly listens and helps those in need.
The AICS Chronicles is a new online program of the DSWD hosted by Media Relations Officer Mel Cabigting of the Digital Media Service (DMS).
The program, which airs every other Monday via the DSWD Facebook page, features real-life stories of individuals and families who were able to overcome financial challenges through the help of the agency’s AICS. (LSJ)