Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced on Wednesday that guarantee letters (GLs) issued under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program are now being accepted at 238 Generika Drugstore branches across the nation.

According to Philippines News Agency, the initiative is part of the Marcos administration's ongoing efforts to support indigent Filipinos with their medical needs. DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao remarked in a news release that these GLs can now be utilized to purchase maintenance medicines at Generika Drugstore outlets throughout the Philippines.

A guarantee letter, or GL, is a document issued by the DSWD in favor of the beneficiary. It is addressed to service providers and ensures the payment of the service on behalf of the client, including medicine costs. Dumlao highlighted that the medicines available under this program are part of Generika Drugstore's Actimed Generics line, which includes a wide range of over-the-counter and prescription drugs.

Dumlao also noted that besides Generika Drugstore, the DSWD is in continuous coordination with other pharmaceutical companies to expand the reach of this initiative and help more Filipinos meet their medical requirements. To identify if a pharmacy accepts DSWD-issued GLs, beneficiaries should look for a sign indicating 'DSWD Guarantee Letter is accepted here.'

Clients seeking more information can contact or visit any DSWD Field Office in their area to obtain a complete list of participating Generika Drugstores accepting DSWD-issued GLs. They can also visit the provided link for further details.

The DSWD's AICS program functions as a social safety net, offering financial support for various needs, including medical, funeral, transportation, food, and cash relief, along with material aid, psychosocial support, and referral services to individuals identified by social workers as being in crisis.