The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VI now caters to clients who are in crisis situation at the GT Mall in Molo, Iloilo City.
“We are happy of this development because we are able to ensure that physical distancing can be observed and the clients are in a comfortable place while waiting for their aid,” Regional Director Ma. Evelyn B. Macapobre said.
The Action Center caters to clients of the Crisis Intervention Section (CIS), which implements services such as Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation for medical, educational, burial and transportation.
The center has begun operating in the first week of May. Formerly, the services can only be availed at the nearby DSWD Compound and in Provincial Extension Offices in Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras and Negros Occidental.
A DREAM COME TRUE
According to Joselito Estember, head of the Crisis Intervention Section, the center used to be a dream.
“Before, this was just a dream. We usually have the most number of clients every day. Before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, we were serving at most, 400 clients in one day. And it is unfortunate to see our clients who are already burdened by problems, lining for some time, waiting to be called,” he said.
According to him, at most, there have been simple renovations, extensions and improvements in the past.
“Recognizing this challenge, the Field Office VI requested for a fund to enable us to rent a bigger office space for the AICS Section. We are very glad that our DSWD Central Office approved our request for the rental expenses,” Estember said. (DSWD-6)
