𝗗𝗦𝗪𝗗 𝗙𝗢 𝗩𝗜 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗢𝗗𝗕 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

𝗜𝗹𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗼 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 — During the recent Nationwide Inspection in observance of the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Month, with the Theme: “From Red Tape to Red Carpet: Better Business Movement in a Bagong Pilipinas, the DSWD Field Office VI – Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Action Center received heartfelt praise from a beneficiary who experienced its improved, efficient, and compassionate service.

Riza Mae Estrope, a resident of Toyungan, Calinog, Iloilo, shared her experience in requesting burial assistance for her father. She recounted how she and her family traveled from their remote barangay to the DSWD FO VI – AICS Action Center, expecting a long and difficult process but were met instead with expeditious and compassionate service.

“We didn’t have a hard time asking for burial assistance because the processing of our documents was fast. This is already my second time coming here, and the service remains good. We weren’t made to wait long,” Riza shared.

She compared the current experience with the one she had during her previous availment of financial assistance.

“Last time, it took a long time because there were many people. But now, everything is done quickly. The staff are not only efficient, but they are also kind and respectful,” she added.

Despite the ongoing volume of clients being served, Rizza observed that the system remained well-organized and responsive.

“There are still many people coming in for financial assistance, but things move faster now. We didn’t experience any delays this time,” she said.

Coming from Calinog, a far-flung municipality, the trip was not easy but the family’s determination was rewarded.

“We can go home early today because we already have the guarantee letter for my father’s burial. I’m truly thankful to DSWD. We are poor and live in a rural area, but this burial assistance lifted a big burden off our shoulders.”

“Even if DSWD’s office is far, we made the effort to come here because we knew they would help us. Thank you very much.”

Her testimony serves as a strong reflection of DSWD’s continuing efforts to enhance frontline services, especially under the EODB mandate. It also highlights how real beneficiaries from grassroots communities are directly benefiting from streamlined processes, faster turnaround times, and dignified public service./AJ Ambos

Client Interview by AJ Ambos & Donna Angelica Estrada

Department of Social Welfare and Development – DSWD
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