Starting Monday, June 22, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said beneficiaries of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program may use their guarantee letters at 262 participating branches of Mercury Drug nationwide to have easier access to their medical needs.
“The resumption of the partnership between the DSWD and Mercury Drug aims to expand beneficiaries’ access to much-needed medicines and medical assistance, while ensuring faster and more convenient utilization of aid provided under the AICS program,” the DSWD said in a statement.
DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the initiative is part of the agency’s efforts to strengthen the implementation of AICS and enhance the delivery of medical assistance to those in need.
Dumlao added that the DSWD is strengthening partnerships with private institutions to make social services more accessible, efficient, and responsive to the needs of vulnerable sectors.
She said the move is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to make government assistance more accessible to Filipinos.
Prior to renewing its partnership with Mercury Drug, the DSWD said it had also entered into a similar arrangement with Generika Drugstore. — Photo from DSWD
