KORONADAL CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured the public Friday it will not cease providing assistance to in need residents affected by the country’s most drastic containment moves to confront the new coronavirus.

In statement, Cezario Joel Espejo, regional director of DSWD-12, said the agency will continue to receive and assess applications of vulnerable groups of people for the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), especially clients affected by the impact of strict community quarantine and curfew across the region as part of efforts to prevent the fast-spreading virus. 

Under community quarantine, residents have been asked to stay at home except for work and urgent errands under month-long restrictions.

Large gatherings like concerts, movies and cockfighting are already prohibited and most work in government line agencies on skeletal workforce, while school closures at all levels were extended by a month.

“We are closely working with local government units to look for better scheme in terms of providing assistance to AICS patients with clear adherence to social distancing and enhance community quarantine protocols,” Dir. Espejo said.

AICS is a DSWD-led program that serves as a social safety net or a stop-gap measure to support the recovery of individuals and families suffering from unexpected life events or crisis.  (JBM / DSWD)