DSWD GLs accepted in 92 Mercury Drug outlets starting June 2

Starting June 2, a total of 92 Mercury Drug outlets in various regions will accept the guarantee letters (GLs) issued to clients under the agency’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced on Wednesday.

“We are very pleased to share this good news to our kababayans (countrymen). This is part of our continuing efforts to help our clients in availing their medicine requirements, in partnership with the Mercury Drug Corporation. Pwede po nilang gamitin itong GL sa pagbili ng kanilang mga (They can now use the GL to buy their) maintenance medicines,” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said in a news release.

A guarantee letter is a document issued by the DSWD in favor of the beneficiary. It is addressed to service providers that guarantees the payment of the service on behalf of the client, including medicine.

The 92 Mercury Drug stores will accept the GLs issued by the DSWD Central Office and Field Offices in the National Capital Region (NCR), Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, and the Caraga Region.

“Our Field Offices in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region, and the Cordillera Administrative Region are still finalizing their agreements with Mercury Drug, but rest assured that these FOs will fast-track their discussions for the best interest of our clients,” the DSWD spokesperson said.

The DSWD-Mercury Drug partnership started last November 2024 and the June 2, 2025 implementation marks their continuing collaboration.

Mercury Drug Store branches that will be accepting DSWD-issued GLs from the Central Office are Fairview– Commonwealth; Ever Gotesco Commonwealth; Tandang Sora–Visayas; Marikina-J.P. Rizal; Kalookan Monumento; Kalookan City Deparo; San Mateo General Luna; and Pasay City Bluebay Walk.

The DSWD-issued GLs from the DSWD Field Office-NCR will be accepted in branches located in Quiapo- Plaza Miranda; Sampaloc-Earnshaw; Sampaloc-Legarda; Kalookan-Plaza; Baclaran-Airport; and Armal Center Pasig.

The Mercury Drug stores will also put up the signage “DSWD Guarantee Letter is accepted here” to further guide clients.

AICS clients may contact or visit any DSWD Field Office in their area of residence for the complete list of Mercury Drug Stores accepting agency-issued GLs.

They may also check this link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EahGjr17bTXSCamxLBRgBtCGn8NEFKhFGhla0bjvHiU/edit?usp=sharing.

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 assistance, including material assistance, psychosocial support and referral services to individuals who are in crisis, as assessed by social workers.

The AKAP is a targeted social assistance that provides direct financial assistance to individuals affected by inflation whose income is below the minimum wage set by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board. (PNA)