DSWD wants ₱63.9-B AICS budget amid rising needs

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has asked the Senate to restore the budget of its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program to ₱63.9 billion in 2027, warning that reduced funding could limit aid to Filipinos facing emergencies.

The program’s proposed allocation was cut to ₱33.3 billion in the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP), nearly half of its funding under the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

During a Senate Subcommittee on Finance hearing on Wednesday, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the agency was concerned that the remaining funds would not be enough to meet beneficiaries’ needs, particularly with the anticipated El Niño phenomenon, possible disasters, and continuing price increases.

Gatchalian appealed for the allocation to be restored at least to its current GAA level, while urging lawmakers to consider additional funding to account for inflation and potential increases in food and other essential commodity prices.

Senator Erwin Tulfo raised concerns about the agency’s capacity to respond to disasters and other emergencies amid the expected El Niño and possible international conflicts.

Meanwhile, Senate Committee on Finance chairperson JV Ejercito questioned how the DSWD would prevent AICS from being used for political patronage as the country approaches the 2028 elections.

Gatchalian said that although individuals and groups may refer potential beneficiaries to the agency, licensed social workers determine applicants’ eligibility and the amount of assistance to be granted.

He expressed confidence that the agency’s social workers could withstand political pressure, adding that the DSWD had filed cases against certain barangay officials in Iloilo over alleged irregularities involving the program.

The agency also informs beneficiaries that the assistance is intended for them and allows them to report suspected irregularities anonymously through its grievance mechanism, Gatchalian said.

Senators Ejercito and Imee Marcos also raised questions about a Commission on Audit report citing nearly ₱400 million in duplicate, multiple or overlapping AICS assistance in 2025.

Gatchalian explained that beneficiaries may receive assistance more than once for different needs, provided the aid complies with DSWD guidelines.

For example, a person may receive medical assistance and later qualify for burial assistance following a death in the family, since the aid covers different needs, he said.

The DSWD chief added that repeat assistance is allowed within prescribed limits. According to Gatchalian, beneficiaries may receive additional aid as long as the total does not exceed ₱10,000 within the applicable three-month period.

The agency is seeking sufficient funding to sustain assistance for people in crisis while maintaining safeguards against misuse of public funds.