Since the Philippines started its battle against the Covid-19 pandemic in March last year, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has extended various forms of assistance to nearly three million individuals in crisis situations.

From March to December 2020, the agency assisted 1,081,660 while as of August 2021, the agency has recorded 1,797,113 only as of August, or a total of 2,878,773 persons in 17 months, according to data obtained by the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Tuesday.

The Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) is part of the DSWD’s protective services for the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable or disadvantaged individuals and technical assistance and resource augmentation support to local government units (LGUs) and other partners.

It is a regular program for people in need of government assistance, especially amid the pandemic.

Areas under granular lockdowns also receive food packs from the national government through the DSWD.

Assistant Secretary Glenda Relova said DSWD normally follows up on or duplicate LGU assistance.

“Food packs will be distributed to families affected by the 14-day quarantine period. For the first week, the LGU will provide the assistance while the DSWD will deliver the aid for the second week of quarantine,” Relova said during a virtual briefing on Monday.