MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has partnered with at least 22 hospitals, pharmaceutical firms, medical suppliers, and distributors of assistive devices to expand the reach of its guarantee letters (GL) given to clients in medical crises.
“Through this collaboration, we continue to be channels of hope for those going through traumatic and crippling situations, aiding them with vital support so they can cope and get through their crises,” Secretary Rexlon Gatchalian said on Sunday.
Gatchalian said the new partners’ support would pave the way for greater convenience and faster access to medical and related services for crisis-hit Filipinos.
Under the collaboration, clients of the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) who are dealing with medical crises can now access services from the partner-institutions using DSWD-issued GLs.
GLs are issued to help indigent patients access medical care by assuring service providers that the government will cover part or all of their medical expenses, the DSWD chief said.
“Thank you for all the services you are committing to provide to our clients in DSWD. We look forward to working with you as we serve our fellow Filipinos,” Gatchalian told the representatives of the department’s partners during the signing ceremony held last week.
In the first half of 2025 alone, the AICS program provided support to more than 6.2 million individuals, highlighting the continuing demand for government assistance, the DSWD said.
To further improve efficiency, Gatchalian said the DSWD is initiating the automation of AICS, which will cover both dispensing and billing processes to benefit clients and partner institutions.
“Our objective is not only to facilitate swift and convenient service dispensing through our clients’ handheld devices, but also to ensure timely bill payments, so that we can pay you on time,” he said.
The partner-hospitals include Allied Care Experts Medical Center – Mandaluyong; Allied Care Experts Medical Center – Valenzuela; Asian Hospital and Medical Center; Commonwealth Hospital and Medical Center; Manila Doctors Hospital; Medical Center Manila (ManilaMed); Philippine Children’s Medical Center; Philippine Orthopedic Center; and Valenzuela Medical Center.
The agency’s partners in the pharmaceutical industry are the CGD Medical Depot, Inc.; E Chi’mes Pharmaceutical, Inc.; Generika Drugstore; GetMeds Philippines, Inc.; Jackpharma, Inc.; MG Health Solutions (MedGrocer); Vital Health Pharmaceutical Corporation; and 2MG Inc.
The DSWD also strengthened support services by linking clients with therapy and learning centers like the Grow Center for Therapy and Learning Programs and the Leap of Grace Learning Center, as well as implant distributors Basemed Kare Inc. and OrthoHub Philippines Corp.
Dialysis provider B Braun Avitum Philippines, Inc. also signed up for the partnership, the DSWD said.
