The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has released a total of P1,411,212,248.66 worth of assistance from January to June 2017 to families and individuals who have experienced a crisis through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).

The aid, delivered through the Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) of the Department’s Central Office, Field Offices (FOs), and satellite offices in provinces, was provided to 410,939 clients nationwide.

“When we say ‘in crisis,’ these are events that cause shock or trauma, producing mental, psychological, and physical distress to a person,” said DSWD Undersecretary for Operations and Protective Programs Hope V. Hervilla.

“If may crisis na ganoon at hindi sila maka-cope, these people or individuals could sometimes feel helpless. Maaari ding magkakaroon sila ng dysfunction (If there is a crisis and a person could not cope, they may feel helpless. They may also have a dysfunction),” Usec. Hervilla explained.

She said these individuals may seek help from the Department through AICS, which serves as an immediate response or a social safety net to support the recovery of families and individuals from unexpected crisis such as illness or death of a family member, natural and human-induced emergencies, and other critical incidents.

Under AICS, the DSWD provides educational, medical, transportation and burial assistance to persons or families in crisis situations, especially those who are poor, marginalized, vulnerable, and disadvantaged individuals.

“They could also seek help of a social worker, not necessarily financial, but it may be psychological or emotional support. Iyon ay pwedeng ibigay ng ating mga social workers at psychologists at different settings—in local government units and in all field offices of the DSWD (This can be provided by our social workers and psychologists at different settings—in local governments units and in all field offices [FOs] of the DSWD). We have counterpart local social welfare and development offices at the local level in cities and municipalities,” Usec. Hervilla added.

According to the Undersecretary, the Department can provide counseling services and emotional support intervention through its trained social workers and licensed psychologists in its field offices.

“Ang lagi naming prinsipyo as social workers is to start where the person is. Kung ano ang pangangailangan sa ngayon, tutugunan muna namin. If the person is distressed ngayon, we’ll help the person experience and manage the emotion. Magkakaroon din tayo ng short term and long-term plans (Our principle as social workers is to start where the person is. We will respond to the immediate needs. If the person is currently distressed, we will help the individual experience and manage the emotion. We will also have short term and long term plans),” she further explained.###