In keeping with the call of President Rodrigo Duterte to facilitate prompt actions or resolution of all government transactions with efficiency, DSWD Field Office VIII will come up with a more improved system in delivering one of its Protective Services – the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS). The Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU), which handles AICS cases, will do away with “red tape” and make processes simpler.This is in response to the intentions of Republic Act No. 11032, known as the “ Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.” In the recent Regional Management Development Conference in Hinunangan, Southern Leyte, DSWD Regional Director Marie Angela Gopalan told senior social workers and other officials to carefully consider the welfare of the poor/vulnerable/marginalized individuals or those in crisis situation by addressing their needs the best way possible, and in a shorter waiting time. She emphasized that “we must provide immediate and appropriate interventions to help individuals, families and communities cope with their social, physical, and economic problems arising from critical and stressful situations.”For the first quarter of CY 2019, 3,966 clients were served, 2,494 or % sought medical assistance, while in the second quarter, 5,778 clients were served, with 2,377 or % availed of medical assistance. They were served at the main office, in the satellite offices located in the six provinces and the Malasakit Center at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center in Tacloban.DSWD disbursed a total of Php17,782,485.65 in the first quarter and Php 31, 166, 057.99 in the next quarter. Ofelia Pagay, Protective Services Division Chief, reported that the CIU will continue to network with more service providers that could cater to clients’ needs in the provinces. That way, clients could easily avail of assistance in hospitals, funeral parlors and pharmacies within or nearest their localities thru guaranty letter to be issued by the DSWD.#