The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Cordillera region (DSWD-CAR) has announced that the temporary suspension of Guarantee Letters (GL) under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program is part of routine year-end procedures. Maria Aplaten, the regional director of DSWD-CAR, emphasized that this pause is necessary for closing financial books, liquidation, and documentation to secure new funding for the upcoming year. She reassured the public that this is a standard governmental process and not a cause for concern.
Clients were informed in advance about the temporary suspension, especially those dependent on GLs for their maintenance medications, which usually cover a three-month supply. Aplaten highlighted that other support programs are still available to meet urgent needs. These include food assistance in cash and a cash-for-work program, which offers PHP430 per day for 15 to 20 days. Additionally, for disaster-related situations, other forms of assistance are accessible.
Aplaten also confirmed that immediate aid for calamity victims remains uninterrupted, with the continuous release and distribution of relief items to ensure that communities receive prompt support and avoid shortages. Furthermore, DSWD personnel are actively assessing communities for potential livelihood and housing projects, working in collaboration with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) to enhance shelter programs.