DSWD widens medical assistance reach for Filipinos

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MANILA, Philippines, Nov 12, (Agencies): The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has formalized partnerships with a new consortium of medical and pharmaceutical firms, signing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to enhance medical assistance for Filipinos facing challenges.

In an announcement released on Sunday, November 12, the DSWD revealed that, through these collaborations, the department would issue guarantee letters (GLs) to service providers. This strategic approach aims to ensure that government assistance is directed precisely towards the intended purpose for Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) clients.

During the MOA signing on November 11, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian emphasized the importance of transparency in the allocation of funds, stating, “When you say it is for medicine, it is intended for medicine. When you say it’s for the hearing aid, it’s for the hearing aid.”

The department highlighted that these partnerships serve the dual purpose of expanding services and safeguarding taxpayers’ funds through the AICS program. The GLs are described as a “foolproof mechanism” designed to prevent financial mismanagement.

Gatchalian explained the utility of the guarantee letter, saying, “Because it’s a guarantee letter, the people’s money is safeguarded. When they come to us and say it’s medicine, instead of giving cash, we write a guarantee letter. They have no choice but to buy medicine. That is the beauty of the guarantee letter.”

Under the expanded services, the DSWD has teamed up with 25 new hospitals, medical centers, and pharmaceutical firms. Monina Josefina Romualdez, DSWD Undersecretary for the Operations Group, emphasized the department’s commitment to providing optimal care for Filipinos in need. In 2022 alone, the DSWD extended financial assistance exceeding P651 million in the form of GLs to cover hospitalization costs, medicines, and assistive devices for beneficiaries.

Romualdez underscored the significance of GL issuance, stating, “The issuance of GL means the delivery of the needed assistance through the presence of partners or the service providers.”

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