by: Roshiel M. Galia

April 21, 2022 | Mambajao, Camiguin—Innovating means to efficiently provide medical assistance and assistive devices to the island province of Northern Mindanao, DSWD seals deal with Mercury Drug Incorporated, Camiguin Branch. The forging of agreement is entered between DSWD Regional Director Mari-Flor Dollaga-Libang and Ms. Jocelyn Cupay, Mercury Drug Incorporated’s Vice President for Mindanao.

In the agreement, a cash voucher scheme will be adopted. The beneficiaries of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the agency will present the voucher to Mercury Drug to directly avail quality medicines or devices.

“Providing convenience in helping cover the medical needs of the affected families and individuals is the best thing we can offer…This partnership is all about saving more people from the misery of finding and availing medical attention which is a basic human need and right,” expressed DSWD-10 RD Dollaga-Libang.

On September 9 of last year, DSWD-10 also forged a MOA with Mercury Drug Incorporated Cagayan de Oro. With this move, the Department is looking forward to establish strong partnership among service providers and stakeholders for the benefit of the AICS clientele.

The AICS progam is one of the most availed services in the Department. It is a social safety net or stopgap mechanism to support the recovery of individuals and families from unexpected crisis such as illness, death in the family, educational needs, among others.