Starting Monday, an additional 82 branches of Mercury Drug across seven regions will begin accepting guarantee letters (GLs) issued to clients under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).
In a statement, DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao announced that an initial 92 Mercury Drug branches began honoring DSWD-issued GLs on June 2, while agreements with the additional outlets were still being finalized. With the new additions, a total of 174 outlets nationwide will now accommodate GLs issued by the agency’s Field Offices.
“This is another big step forward in our relentless efforts to help our clients in meeting their medicine requirements with the help of Mercury Drug Corporation. Ngayong nadagdagan pa yung mga participating stores, mas marami nang kliyente natin ang makakabili ng gamot or maintenance medicines mula sa ating partner-drugstores (With the additional participating stores, more clients will be able to buy drugs or maintenance medicines from our partner-drugstores),” Dumlao stated.
A GL is a document issued by the DSWD in favor of beneficiaries, particularly for its AKAP and AICS clients in need of assistance. It is addressed to service providers and guarantees payment for services on behalf of the client, including prescription medicines.
The 82 Mercury Drug stores will accept GLs issued by DSWD’s Field Offices in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, and the Cordillera Administrative Region.
“With this, we look forward to enhancing our clients’ experience around the country. Gaya nga ng kagustuhan ng ating Pangulong (In line with the vision of our President) Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., we are making sure that the comfort and welfare of our kababayan (compatriots) are always prioritized in all the development efforts the Department is embarking on,” Dumlao added.
To further assist clients, a sign indicating “DSWD Guarantee Letter is accepted here” will be displayed in participating stores. AICS clients may contact or visit the nearest DSWD Field Office for the complete list of Mercury Drug Stores accepting agency-issued GLs. They may also check the DSWD’s Facebook post for the list of the 82 branches: https://bit.ly/82participatingstores.
The AICS is one of the social protection programs of the DSWD that provides financial assistance in the form of medical, funeral, transportation, food, and cash relief, including material aid, psychosocial support, and referral services to individuals in crisis, as assessed by social workers. The AKAP program provides direct financial assistance to individuals affected by inflation whose income falls below the minimum wage set by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board.