Bacolod mayor criticizes AICS Payout System

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY—Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez expressed disappointment after witnessing the situation of at least 3,000 beneficiaries waiting for the release of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) at the activity center of Bacolod City College (BCC) in Barangay Taculing last Friday.

In a media interview, Benitez mentioned that some beneficiaries had arrived as early as 6 a.m., but when he arrived at 11 a.m., many had not yet received their assistance.

Among the beneficiaries were senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and others who sacrificed a day’s work to process the AICS.

“I was surprised. I thought when I arrived, the payout would be finished,” Benitez said, noting the long queue of beneficiaries still waiting for their payout when he arrived before noon.

“This is not new. This has been the process for several years,” he said.

Benitez emphasized that the payout system needs improvement to make it easier for beneficiaries to receive assistance, which includes medical, burial, and food aid.

On Saturday, Benitez said he discussed the Friday scenario with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian.

They talked about implementing a new and improved system that could expedite and simplify the release of assistance to beneficiaries.

Benitez said Gatchalian informed him that they were already working on an automated system for the AICS payout.

The mayor noted that Gatchalian assured him the DSWD is prioritizing this issue.

“Moving forward, we will try to adopt a system that prevents beneficiaries from being stuck in long queues to process their payouts,” Benitez added.

He assured that they will seek the most convenient way to process the payout.