DSWD’s AICS processing back at main office

n By MARICEL V. CRUZ

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has said it was not looking at 100 percent registration.

Uy also said the telcos asserted that a huge portion of the 168 million subscribers were using “disposable” SIMs which were used temporarily.

“Ang actual estimate nila ay close to 100 million ‘yung active SIMs… Kung ‘yan ang pagbabasehan, we have about 78 million to 79 million registered SIMS. We are hitting almost 80 percent registered,” he said. He reiterated that the agency and the telcos would look at the “bigger concern” such as the lack of identification cards of the SIM card holders and poor connectivity in some areas.

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has announced that starting April 24, the Step 1 processing of its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program will be back at the agency’s main office in Batasan Hills, Quezon City.

Step 1 includes the initial screening of documentary requirements and provision of schedule to the clients for further assessment.

Currently, the process is being done at the QC-X Building of the Quezon Memorial Circle.

In a statement, the DSWD said receiving of clients at the DSWD Central Office beginning April 24 will be from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mondays to Fridays.

The DSWD Central advises the AICS beneficiaries to ensure that there documents are complete and up-to-date.

It can be recalled that on March 13, 2023, the DSWD Central Office set up a temporary site at the Quezon Memorial Circle while renovations were being done at the processing area.

“The renovations will provide a more conducive and safe environment for clients requesting for medical, hospitalization, burial, and transportation assistance among others,” the DSWD said.

AICS serves as a social safety net or a stop-gap mechanism to support the recovery of individuals and families from unexpected crises such as illness or death of a family member, natural and man-made disasters, and other crisis situations.

Beneficiaries of this program can avail of multiple assistance depending on their needs and assessment of the social worker, the DSWD said.

GOODNESS, GRACIOUS, GREAT BALL OF FIRE. A huge fire ball develops as US soldiers detonate an anti-personnel explosive device as part of the ongoing the United States-Philippines ‘Balikatan’ joint military exercise at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija. Jam Sta. Rosa/AFP