AROUND 400 beneficiaries in Consolacion, Cebu of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) received their aid Monday, June 6.

The distribution of the cash aid was held at the Consolacion Gymnasium across the Consolacion Municipal Hall. It was attended by the town's officials and Senator Imee Marcos.

The program benefited the town's indigenous farmers, fisherfolk, and homeless individuals who received P2,000 each.

Mayor-elect Teresa Alegado said Monday’s crowd is the first batch of beneficiaries in town, as around 1,200 are expected to receive the financial aid in Consolacion.

AICS is a government program that serves as a social safety net or stop-gap measure to support the recovery of indigenous individuals and families suffering from unexpected life events or crises.

The program started in 2014 and was revised in 2019 to complement the social amelioration program to sustain the basic necessities of the families severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in both health and socio-economic aspects.

So far, about 7,000 individuals nationwide benefit from the AICS cash assistance, most are from the National Capital Region (NCR) as of April 2021, said DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista.

The cash assistance will cover education, medical, transportation, burial, and food and non-food to assist beneficiaries in providing basic needs of their families.

The aid is delivered through the various Crisis Intervention Units (CIU) at the DSWD Central Office, field offices, and satellite offices in provinces.

Beneficiaries are also carefully evaluated by the DSWD to ensure they fit the category of recipients.

In Cebu, the town of Consolacion was the first beneficiary of AICS cash assistance.

In an interview with reporters, Marcos said she is eyeing on expanding the AICS cash distribution to more vulnerable sectors in Cebu and the entire Philippines.

She added that she would propose the idea to the Senate and had been coordinating with the DSWD regarding the matter.

"Cebu is such a large place. It seemed endless. So, we will do our best even at a slow pace to at least give help to those who badly need the assistance," said Marcos.