DSWD-6: AICS offsite payouts susceptible to politicking

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Western Visayas (DSWD-6) said offsite payouts of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) are susceptible to being used to forward political agendas.

“It happens when we have offsite payouts outside the premises of the DSWD,” DSWD-6 Director Atty. Carmelo N. Nochete said in a press conference.

Nochete emphasized that during offsite payouts, they coordinate with the local government for the venue, and officials sometimes bring other politicians to the actual payout, which is beyond their control.

“The payout can be controlled by the DSWD, but what happens before and after the actual payout is beyond our control. The LGU can invite politicians. There’s nothing we can do about that,” he said.

Nochete assured the public that the financial assistance from the agency intended for aid is received by the beneficiaries who are in crisis.

According to DSWD-6 data, around P824 million has been distributed as of May this year to 110,784 individuals identified under the AICS program.

The breakdown of the disbursed funds includes P366 million for medical needs, P300 million for food, P122 million for burial expenses, P21 million for education, P10,000 for transportation, and P13 million for other forms of cash assistance.

Other forms of cash assistance cover needs arising from the El Niño phenomenon, the high cost of basic commodities, and other situations requiring cash relief.

DSWD-6 Information Officer Atty. May Rago-Castillo said the disbursed cash assistance includes referrals from senators, congressmen, local government units, and private organizations.