Penablanca, Cagayan – 284 families affected by last year’s Typhoon Quiel received assistance from the field office’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) at a simple ceremony attended by Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and DSWD Undersecretary Aimee Torrefranca-Neri at the Cagayan Provincial Capitol earlier today.

The beneficiaries received assistance amounting to P3,000.00 each for a total cost of P852,000.00.

The beneficiaries were those affected by the above-mentioned typhoon that brought days of rain and flooding, prompting a large number of families to be evacuated.

Meanwhile, the Undersecretary, DSWD Regional Director Fernando R. De Villa, Jr. along with other field office personnel also attended the opening of a Malasakit Center at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC) in Tuguegarao City that was led by Senator Go.

Malasakit Centers process and approve requests for medical and financial assistance of indigent patients with the DSWD, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) as partners.

The creation of Malasakit Centers in hospitals run by the DOH was institutionalized with the signing of Republic Act 11464 or the Malasakit Center Act by President Rodrigo Duterte last December.

Director De Villa, Jr. meanwhile mentioned that the field office will provide necessary assistance to the Malasakit Center for it to function to its fullest potential.

“Ang field office natin ay nandito upang tulungan ang Malasakit Center upang magampanan nito ang kanyang responsibilidad ayon sa batas upang mapagsilbihan ang mga kababayan nating mahihirap,” Director De Villa, Jr. said. ###