Bukidnon, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced the release of PHP12.86 million in cash assistance through the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) caravan to beneficiaries of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program in Bukidnon. The distribution took place at Bukidnon State University in Malaybalay, Bukidnon, as part of the Marcos administration's initiative to bring government services closer to the public.
According to Philippines News Agency, the cash assistance was distributed to 6,531 AICS beneficiaries for various needs such as hospitalization, medical, burial, and medicine support. In addition to the cash assistance, the DSWD provided PHP1.305 million in livelihood support to three Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations (SLPAs) comprising 87 members and 8,705 family food packs (FFPs) worth PHP6.268 million to families in need. The Serbisyo Caravan, organized by the Office of the President and the House of Representatives in partnership with other national agencies, is part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s commitment to making government services more accessible. The two-day event in Bukidnon was the seventh nationwide and the second held in Mindanao.
Lopez also mentioned a media welfare program established by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian to aid media professionals and their families during crises. To date, 1,636 media professionals and their families have received assistance totaling PHP44.8 million. The National Press Club (NPC) President Lydia Bueno commended the DSWD for its support of the Fourth Estate, and the Presidential Task Force on Media Security also recognized the DSWD's efforts, particularly in the case of slain radio host Juan Jumalon in Misamis Occidental.