Legazpi City, Albay — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office V-Bicol Region, successfully distributed a total of Php 3,908,683,628.23 in aid under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program, and Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) on 2025, benefiting a total of 624,641 clients from its various types of assistance served through onsite transactions, offsite serbisyo payout, and through Malasakit Centers (MCs).

In 2025, under the AICS Program, the Field Office V served 449,025 beneficiaries, allocating Php 2,811,401,020.65 in aid. In medical assistance, the AICS program supported 90,506 beneficiaries for their hospital bills, laboratory fees, medicines, assistive devices, and therapies while 15,523 bereaved families received funeral assistance to cover the burial expenses. These forms of assistance were delivered as outright cash and through Guarantee Letters (GL) accepted by partner service providers.

On the same year, the CIS was able to strengthen its partnership with different service providers, which currently have ongoing and effective Memorandum of Agreement with 36 hospitals, 19 pharmacies with 58 branches, 11 funeral parlors with 19 branches, 10 laboratory clinics with 14 branches, one (1) animal bite center, and one (1) assistive device provider across the region, enhancing the overall service delivery.

Additionally, 248,341 families severely affected by inflation, calamities, accidents, and reported fire incidents received cash relief assistance for daily subsistence and urgent needs. The program also provided educational assistance to 89,880 in-crisis students, addressing their academic needs and expenses.

Food assistance has reached 4,186 clients, while 589 beneficiaries received essential support through Transportation Assistance.

On the other hand, the DSWD’s Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) has reached 175,616 below minimum wage earners and beneficiaries in the Bicol region. A total of Php 1,097,282,607.58 has been disbursed in different forms of aid. Of over 100 thousand beneficiaries, 89,253 of them received Food Assistance, 68,369 were provided with medical assistance, while 15,713 clients benefitted from AKAP’s funeral aid. Furthermore, 2,281 received cash relief assistance.

AKAP clients were thoroughly assessed and identified as qualified indigent beneficiaries, earning below the set minimum wage. These individuals belong to the formal and informal sectors, experiencing financial hardships due to the impact of inflation, and other emergencies.

Of over three (3) billion disbursed funds of AICS and AKAP, a total of Php 40,220,500.00 was distributed to 9,726 individuals in collaboration with seven (7) Malasakit Centers in the region. The clients catered inside Malasakit Centers were provided with different types of assistance, delivered either as outright cash or through a Guarantee Letter, ensuring immediate relief to those in need directly at the hospitals.

This milestone reflects the DSWD Bicol’s commitment to delivering timely and effective assistance to individuals and families in crisis and facing economic difficulties, fostering resilience and recovery throughout the Bicol Region.

Following the directives of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., DSWD Bicol under the leadership of Regional Director Norman S. Laurio, and as guided by Secretary Rex Gatchalian, reaffirmed its commitment as reflected with the 2025 accomplishments for the betterment of every Filipino. ###