Filipinos seeking urgent medical help under a government assistance program will find more pharmacy options beginning Monday, June 22, as 262 Mercury Drug branches resume honoring Guarantee Letters issued through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The arrangement falls under the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, which covers the cost of medicines and medical supplies for qualified beneficiaries. With the renewed scheme, recipients can present their Guarantee Letters at participating outlets to obtain the items they need without shouldering the expense themselves.
DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao framed the move as part of broader work to tighten how the AICS program runs and to speed up medical aid reaching Filipinos who require it.
“Magandang balita po ito para sa ating mga kababayang nangangailangan ng agarang tulong medikal. Simula Hunyo 22 ay muli na pong tatanggap ang 262 na selected branches ng Mercury Drug ng Guarantee Letter mula sa AICS ng DSWD. Kaya mas mapapadali na po ang pagbili ng mga kinakailangang gamot at iba pang medical supplies ng ating mga benepisyaryo,” Dumlao said Sunday, June 21.
According to Dumlao, the department has been building ties with private establishments so that its services become easier to reach, quicker to obtain, and better suited to the circumstances of those in difficult situations.
“Patuloy po nating pinalalakas ang ating pakikipag-ugnayan sa ating mga partner establishments upang mas mailapit ang serbisyo ng DSWD sa ating mga kababayan. Sa ganitong paraan, hindi lamang natin napapabilis ang pagkuha nila ng tulong, kundi napapagaan din natin ang kanilang dinaranas sa panahon ng karamdaman o iba pang krisis,” she said.
Mercury Drug is not the only chain tied to the program. The DSWD had earlier entered a comparable deal with Generika Drugstore, widening the list of pharmacies where AICS recipients can redeem their Guarantee Letters.
Dumlao linked the effort to instructions from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for faster and more efficient delivery of public services.
“Alinsunod po sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na gawing mas mabilis, mas maayos, at mas episyente ang paghahatid ng serbisyo ng pamahalaan, patuloy na naghahanap ang DSWD ng mga paraan upang mapalawak at mapalapit ang access ng ating mga benepisyaryo sa mga kinakailangang tulong. Sa pamamagitan po ng partnership na ito, mas marami pang matutulungang mga Pilipino sa panahon ng kanilang pangangailangan,” she said.
