AICS availment process shortened from 90 to 20 days

CEBU, Philippines — From 90 to just 20 working days, the shortened availment process for the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program has been approved by concerned offices of the Cebu Provincial Government during the final feedbacking of the new process flow.

The streamlined procedure cuts processing time by 70%, accommodating nearly three times more beneficiaries, excluding those from the highly-urbanized cities of Cebu and Lapu-Lapu.

The reduction in working days before the release of AICS assistance was initially based on the four-day workweek implemented last March, and is expected to further shorten now that Capitol has returned to its regular work schedule.

The AICS program, managed by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), aims to provide immediate and temporary support to residents in crisis situations such as medical, burial, and educational assistance.

According to source privy to the workflow analysis from the Provincial Planning and Development Office, the most commonly sought assistance is medical-related.

“After a month, patawagon sila if naa na ba or wala pa. Ma-avail (ang financial aid) nila after 90 days pa,” the source added, citing an example of how dragging the previous processing timeline is.

Requests for financial assistance under the updated process flow can now be released every month, providing faster relief to beneficiaries.

According to the post on the official Facebook page of Cebu Provincial Government regarding the shortened process, the program can now disburse ?12 million in just one month, compared to ?15 million released within three months.

As per PSWDO Nutritionist Clarisse de Jesus, who was present in the previous consultations, nothing has changed in the steps and offices involved in the process flow.

“Actually, wala ray nausab sa agian nga offices sa request. Gihatagan lang ang mga offices nga mao ra g’yud ni inyohang days of when naa dapat sa inyong office, niya dapat mapasa na sa next,” she said.

Although not yet officially launched by the Cebu Provincial Government, the concerned Capitol offices are already implementing the improved system in accommodating AICS clients. (CEBU NEWS)