IN line with the digital transformation of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the agency will soon launch its online system for the issuance of guarantee letters (GL) under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).
Gatchalian said in a radio interview that the digitalization of the agency’s regulatory and key services is being undertaken to make the agency more efficient and more accessible to the public.
“One of the things we are doing now and will be launching soon is the automation of issuing guarantee letters. Because we know they [AICS clients] need it for hospitalizations, for burial assistance,” he said.
The ongoing development of the online portal to automate the provision of GLs is being undertaken so that individuals or families who are in crisis will no longer have to fall in line at DSWD offices.
This move is in consideration of the plight of those in need for medical and hospital bill assistance who usually do not have the luxury of time to apply for the services and go to the nearest DSWD offices, according to Secretary Gatchalian.
The DSWD chief said the online system for the setup is already undergoing fine-tuning and expected to be finished at the soonest possible time.
“Our point, again and again, is that our citizens should have convenient anytime, anywhere access to DSWD assistance and services without having to go to our offices,” he said.
Aside from the soon-to-be-launched initiative, Gatchalian also said the agency recently launched its Harmonized Electronic License and Permit System (HELPS) which is an online platform housing the application for regulatory services of the department.
Gatchalian urged social welfare and development agencies (SWDAs) to use the HELPS portal to apply for their certificates of registration, license to operate and accreditation (CLRA), as well as applications for solicitation permit.
Previous to HELPS, the manual processing of the CLRA takes up to six months. With the online system, the SWDAs can expect their certifications within seven days if their applications are assessed as compliant and complete.
Another feature of the HELPS is the application for solicitation permit which the Department issues to ensure the validity of organizations and individuals seeking donations from the public for a cause.
The HELPS portal also features the online Minors Travelling Abroad (MTA) permit system which is a service that the DSWD provides to ensure that minors travelling alone or with companions other than their parents are protected from abuse or exploitation.
In digitalizing the application for the MTA permit, the DSWD instituted more safety measures to protect the children from possible human trafficking and exploitation.
Prior to this, the child need not appear in interviews and third party applications are accepted for as long as there is a special power of attorney (SPA) provided.
As part of the digitalization efforts, Secretary Gatchalian also said the DSWD has an online donation system, the Kaagapay portal, where donors can directly send donations for the Department and for their preferred SWDAs.
The DSWD chief vowed that the agency will continue to digitalize its systems so that appropriate services can be provided to those in need as efficiently as possible.
“Don’t fall in line, Go online.” Gatchalian said.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Digital release of guarantee letters under AICS coming soon—DSWD.”