By Jennifer P. Rendon
Aid made available at the comforts of a mall.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development – Field Office VI (DSWD-6) announced that they will now cater to clients who are in crisis 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,” DSWD-6 regional director Ma. Evelyn B. Macapobre said on Monday.
The Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) is part of the DSWD’s protective services for the poor, marginalized and vulnerable/disadvantaged individuals for medical, educational, burial and transportation.
The AICS has been implemented by the DSWD for decades, as part of its technical assistance and resource augmentation support to local government units and other partners.
It was gathered that the AICS Action Center in GT mall has begun operating first week of May. Prior to this, the services can only be availed at the nearby DSWD Compound and in Provincial Extension Offices in Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras and Negros Occidental.
For Joselito Estember, head of the Crisis Intervention Section, having a center conveniently located at a mall 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.
He added that there had 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.
