Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian led the opening of two DSWD Field Office-National Capital Region (NCR) satellite offices located at the Victory Central Mall, in Monumento, Caloocan City, and at the Victory Food Market in Barangay Baclaran, Paranaque City for the processing of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) for Metro Manila clients.

The satellite office in Monumento will cater to residents of the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela (CAMANAVA).

The satellite office in Barangay Baclaran will serve locals from the cities of Paranaque, Pasay, Muntinlupa and Las Pinas.

Secretary Gatchalian said the setting up of the satellite offices is meant to bring the AICS services closer to the public, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr to ensure that immediate assistance is provided to those in need.

“Simple lang ang layunin ng DSWD at ito ay para ilapit sa inyo ang serbisyo. Kung dati rati nagpupunta pa kayo sa Central Office o sa Maynila, dito sa bago nating AICS office, ay puwede nang dito na lang kayo para mas malapit na sa inyo” (The DSWD’s objective is to bring the services closer and accessible to you . If before you have to go to the Central Office or in Manila, you can now just go here [satellite office) as this is near), Secretary Gatchalian said.

One of the first clients served at the Monumento satellite office, Vina Canada, beamed upon receiving her medical assistance for the purchase of her child’s maintenance medicine for epilepsy.

Being a first time client, Vina said she was glad to know that there is a satellite office near her residence in Barangay Bagong Barrio in Caloocan City.

“Magaan na sa loob, matipid na siya sa pamasahe. Pwede na siya ilakad, nagastos ko lang mga P40.00 Taos puso akong nagpapasalamat sa DSWD para sa anak ko. Sana para sa ibang nangangailangan, matulungan din sila” (It is more convenient now as I only spent around P40.00 to get here. My heartfelt gratitude to DSWD for their assistance to my child. I hope others who need help will also get the assistance they need), Vina pointed out.

Another client, Napoleon De Luna, 73, also from Caloocan, expressed his gratitude as he only needed to ride a jeep to reach Victory Central Mall.

De Luna also said it was his first time to seek assistance from DSWD for his maintenance medicine and he was grateful to the Department.

Joining the formal opening of the Monumento satellite office were DSWD Undersecretary Monina Josefina Romualdez, DSWD Assistant Secretary Uly Aguilar, Malabon Mayor Jeannie Ng Sandoval, Valenzuela Councilor Shiela Nina Lopez, Caloocan Councilor Arnold Divina, Caloocan District Head Peter Tan andMs. Ricci Margio from the Victory Central Mall management.

For residents from the southern part of Metro Manila, the Victory Food Market in Baclaran is located in front of the Mother of Perpetual Help Church, accessible through LRT, jeepney and other affordable means of transportation.

Babylyn Lozada from Paranaque City, was one of the clients provided with financial assistance at the Baclaran satellite office.

Lozada is a stage 4 breast cancer patient and will be undergoing her 20th chemotherapy session.

“Mas madali na po, hindi na mahihirapan humingi ng assistance, kasi nahihirapan na po akong tumingin. Di ko na po masyado nakikita kahit nasa harapan ko or nasa side ko” (It’s easier now, it is no longer difficult to seek assistance, especially as I can no longer see properly), Lozada said.

The Libata family, also from Paranaque, expressed their joy as they sought assistance for their 9-year-old child, Jade, who cannot walk.

Annie, the mother, said: “Masayang-masaya ako kasi hindi na ako pupunta pa sa Sampaloc para humingi ng tulong. Pag malapit na, hindi na maghahanap ng pamasahe kasi nandito lang sa Baclaran” (I am happy because I need not go to Sampaloc for the assistance. Since its near, I do not need to have money for my transportation fare).

“Maraming maraming salamat sa DSWD sa pagbigay ng tulong, sa pagbigay ng wheelchair. Matagal ko ng pangarap na magkaroon siya ng wheelchair” (Many thanks to DSWD for the provision of assistance, especially for the wheelchair. I have long dreamt that she be given a wheelchair), Annie said.

Annie is also thankful for the financial assistance for her child’s medical check up.

Joining the formal opening of the Baclaran satellite office were Muntinlupa City Vice Mayor Artemio Simunac, Paranaque Vice Mayor Joan Villafuerte, Paranaque Office of the Representative Supervising Political Affairs Office Leo San Buenaventura, Barangay Baclaran Chairperson Julius Anthony Zaidy, Pasay City Social Welfare and Development Head Angelica Roa Yu, Paranaque City Social Welfare and Development Office Head Vivian Gabriel, Las Pinas City Social Welfare and Development Office representative Shirley Petancio, and Malasakit Center Program Manager/Medical Social Service Officer in Charge Carl Marx Dimayuga.

In both satellite offices, the clients said that their local government units (LGUs) helped disseminate the information that DSWD is now accessible in their areas.

The local social workers also accompanied the clients who could not travel on their own like Babylyn.

AICS serves as a social safety net or a stop-gap mechanism meant 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.

The DSWD, in partnership with LGUs, will continue to find ways to help the poor and vulnerable Filipinos. #