The Provincial Government of Benguet under the leadership of Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas has recently distributed cash aid to a total of 57 indigent residents from different municipalities, as part of its continuous support to the most vulnerable members of the community.

This initiative falls under the Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program which is aimed at alleviating the financial burden of medical and burial expenses for those in need.

Governor Diclas personally led the distribution and expressed his commitment to strengthening the program and ensuring a steady flow of funds to assist indigent residents particularly with their medical needs. Under his leadership, the program has undergone improvements providing more aid to those facing challenging circumstances.

In the past, beneficiaries were limited to receiving P5,000.00 for medical expenses, but with Governor Diclas’ initiative, the assistance cap has been increased to P20,000.00 to help in addressing the rising costs of healthcare and ensuring that residents receive adequate support during times of crisis.

Moreover, Governor Diclas has made it possible for beneficiaries to apply for aid on an annual basis which now allows individuals to access the program whenever they require assistance, compared before when clients were only given three availments per lifetime.

Residents in need of financial assistance through the AICS program are encouraged to seek assistance from the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (OPSWD) located on the 1st Floor of the Provincial Capitol.

Meanwhile, Governor Diclas has been allocating more funds for the improvement of the capacity of different healthcare facilities in the Province to help cater to more residents accessing government health facilities.