The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) extended P10,000 financial assistance, through the Department’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS),  to some 22 repatriates from Wuhan during the payout held in Clark City on February 22.   The repatriates completed their 14-day quarantine under the strict rules and regulations implemented by the Department of Health (DOH).

AICS is a social safety net or stop-gap measure to support the recovery of individuals and families suffering from an unexpected life event or crisis such as loss of job due to disruption, disaster, illness, and death, among others.

Aside from the cash aid, DSWD social workers, who joined the representatives of other national agencies in providing government assistance, also interviewed the families to assess and identify other appropriate services that can be extended to them as they return to their respective hometowns.  They will be further referred to concerned DSWD-Field Offices for the provision of additional appropriate assistance, if necessary.

Likewise, the Department is ready and is looking into the possible assistance that can be extended to the Filipinos aboard the Japanese cruise ship who were repatriated.  DSWD Assistant Secretary Glenda Relova has been regularly attending inter-agency coordination meetings with concerned agencies on the matter.

Meanwhile, DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista has issued a directive to all the Department’s Field Offices around the country to identify centers and residential care facilities (CRCF) under their jurisdictions that can be temporarily transformed into quarantine areas.

DSWD, as part of the whole-of-nation approach, continues to work hand in hand with other government agencies in ensuring that repatriates whose jobs have been disrupted by the Covid-19 outbreak, as well as those in need of medical help, will receive prompt assistance to help them cope with their present situation.  -30-