By Sam Ramos
A total of 2,735 women from various barangay associations in Zamboanga City benefited from the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) during a payout event held on Friday, November 22, at the Mayor Vitaliano Agan Coliseum in Tetuan.
The cash aid distribution was facilitated by Majority Leader and District II Congressman Mannix Dalipe, in collaboration with the local government and the DSWD. Beneficiaries from 30 barangays across Districts I and II each received financial support to help address immediate needs arising from crisis situations.
Representative Dalipe, during the event, reaffirmed his commitment to continuing close collaboration with Mayor John Dalipe and national government agencies to ensure sustained assistance for Zamboanga residents. “This initiative is part of our ongoing efforts to provide meaningful support to those in need. By working together with the city and national agencies, we aim to extend more comprehensive aid to our constituents,” Dalipe said.
The AICS program, implemented nationwide by the DSWD, provides financial assistance to individuals and families in distress, including those facing medical emergencies, loss of livelihood, or other crises. Its goal is to alleviate the immediate impacts of unforeseen hardships and promote social welfare among vulnerable communities.
Zamboanga City’s payout is part of a larger government effort to empower women and other marginalized groups, recognizing their vital role in fostering community resilience. The event underscores the “importance of multisectoral cooperation in delivering essential services and aid to those most in need.”