The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Davao Region (DSWD FO-Davao) has announced a temporary suspension on issuing guarantee letters for two of its key assistance programs. This administrative pause took effect on November 30, 2025.
Reason Behind the Temporary Suspension
According to the regional office, this decision is not a stoppage of services but a necessary step to manage finances. The move follows a directive from the DSWD Central Office, aligning with Financial Management Guideline No. 53 (2025). The primary goal is to give the office sufficient time to process and settle all existing payables linked to services already provided through these guarantee letters.
The agency stressed that this is an administrative measure designed to prevent backlogs and ensure timely payments to partner institutions like hospitals and clinics. By pausing new GL issuances, the office aims to clear outstanding obligations with service providers who have already extended help to beneficiaries.
What Assistance Remains Available?
Importantly, DSWD-Davao clarified that both the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) and the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) will continue their operations. While direct financial aid via guarantee letters is on hold, other forms of support under these programs remain accessible to qualified individuals.
This continued assistance includes:
- Direct medical aid
- Transportation support
- Food assistance
- Burial aid
The regional office emphasized that clients who meet the necessary qualifications can still avail of these forms of help during the suspension period.
Understanding the Programs and the Path Forward
The AICS program is a flagship crisis intervention initiative that provides immediate support for medical, burial, food, and transportation needs during emergencies. The guarantee letter mechanism allows beneficiaries to receive services like hospital care with DSWD committing to pay the provider directly.
Meanwhile, AKAP is a social protection program aimed at assisting low-income families and workers with unstable earnings, offering temporary relief for basic and emergency expenses.
DSWD-Davao has assured the public that the suspension is temporary. Once the financial reconciliation process is complete, the issuance of guarantee letters will resume to ensure uninterrupted service delivery for those in need across the region.
