The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced on Thursday (November 21) it will temporarily suspend the issuance of Guarantee Letters (GLs) under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).
The pause in GL issuances would facilitate the annual liquidation process and complete the payments to service providers who have already assisted beneficiaries.
“Mayroon na po tayong inilabas na guidance sa ating mga Field Offices na i-observe yung last day of issuance ng guarantee letter, which should not be later than December 13,” Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao told reporters at the DSWD’s weekly Media Forum.
Asst. Secretary Dumlao, who serves as the spokesperson for the DSWD, clarified that the suspension of the GL will not impact the provision of AICS assistance to clients in crisis.
Those in need can still access cash assistance for services amounting to Php10,000 or less, according to the DSWD spokesperson.
“The DSWD will still assist the AICS clients pero cash muna worth Php10,000 and below ang maibigay natin. Next year, once we have settled all obligation requests and disbursement vouchers, we could already resume with the issuance of the GL,”Asst. Secretary Dumlao told reporters during the forum.
The DSWD spokesperson also announced that the agency would suspend its offsite payouts to focus on finalizing financial requirements.
“Any offsite o yung nag conduct tayo ng payout sa covered court o sa barangay hall, iyon po muna yung matitigil. So we encourage our clients to visit our Satellite Offices or Field Offices,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao explained.
The Thursday Media Forum is held weekly at the DSWD Central Office’s New Press Center and is hosted by Raymond Robert Burgos, the Special Assistant to the Secretary for Communications, and Aldrine Fermin, the Director of the Traditional Media Service. The forum is live-streamed on the DSWD Facebook page.
