DSWD guarantee letters accepted at Mercury Drug

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Selected Mercury Drug branches in Western Visayas are now accepting guarantee letters issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development for beneficiaries of its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

The DSWD said qualified clients may use their guarantee letters to purchase medicines covered under the agency’s medical assistance program.

A guarantee letter serves as the agency’s commitment to pay accredited service providers on behalf of eligible beneficiaries, including for medicines.

As of June 22, beneficiaries may use their guarantee letters at 262 Mercury Drug stores nationwide, including 18 outlets in Western Visayas.

Based on the latest list released by the agency, participating branches in Iloilo province are located in Pavia, Pototan, Janiuay, Estancia, Barotac Viejo, Oton and Miagao.

In Iloilo City, participating outlets are at The Shops @ Atria, Iznart Street, Gen. Luna-Quezon, Jaro, Molo and Mandurriao.

Other participating branches are in Jordan, Guimaras; San Jose de Buenavista, Antique; Kalibo, Aklan; and two outlets in Capiz located in Roxas City and Sigma.

The expansion is expected to ease access to medicines for patients requiring maintenance drugs and individuals facing medical emergencies.

The program particularly benefits clients who may struggle to immediately purchase prescribed medicines.

The initiative forms part of the DSWD’s efforts to make government medical assistance more accessible and responsive to financially vulnerable individuals and families.

The DSWD-Mercury Drug partnership started in November 2024, according to the agency.

In May 2025, the DSWD announced that 92 Mercury Drug stores across different regions would begin accepting guarantee letters issued under AICS and the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program starting June 2.

Beneficiaries are advised to look for the sign, “DSWD Guarantee Letter is accepted here,” in participating branches.

Clients may also coordinate with the nearest DSWD field office or local social welfare office for assistance in obtaining and using guarantee letters.

AICS is a DSWD social protection program that provides financial and other forms of assistance, including medical, funeral, transportation, food and cash relief assistance, to individuals in crisis as assessed by social workers.

Medical assistance remains among the most requested forms of support under AICS, particularly among low-income families dealing with hospitalization, chronic illnesses and rising medicine costs.

By expanding its network of accredited pharmacies, the DSWD aims to help beneficiaries access needed medicines more quickly and closer to their communities.