Crisis aid fund balloons to ₱63.9B in conference committee

Metro Manila, Philippines – It’s settled. 

Funding for the controversial Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program now stands at ₱63.9 billion, following a huge hike pushed by members of the House of Representatives in the bicameral conference committee finalizing the 2026 national budget. 

The executive branch initially proposed ₱27.028 billion for AICS under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the National Expenditure Program submitted to Congress in August.

The House of Representatives increased the amount to ₱59 billion in the version it approved in October, while the Senate earlier this month approved ₱34.5 billion.

Earlier, House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno criticized the cuts made by the Senate to AICS and other social assistance programs. However, Senate finance committee chair Win Gatchalian said senators merely followed the funding levels requested by government agencies.

During the third bicam meeting late Tuesday, Dec. 16, the Senate contingent approved House appropriations committee chairperson Mika Suansing’s motion to allocate a total of ₱63.895 billion for AICS.

“The proposal of the House is deemed approved,” Gatchalian declared. 

Suansing noted that in September, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian had even appealed for a total budget of ₱70 billion.

“The explanation is that the Department seeks additional funding to continue providing necessary financial support to around seven million beneficiaries who would otherwise be left without assistance due to the non-inclusion of the Ayuda sa Kapos Ang Kita Program and the decreased allocation for AICS for 2026,” Suansing said. 

Senator Erwin Tulfo, a former DSWD secretary, backed the House proposal, noting that AICS is crucial, especially since the country is prone to typhoons, earthquakes, and other calamities.

“‘Pag tinamaan po yung isang area, pag maghintay ka pa ng QRF, aabutin po ng dalawa, tatlong linggo bago ma-release. Whereas, kung nandiyan na mismo yung AICS, madali na lang pong ma-release na ang po ito ng department doon sa mga beneficiaries, Mr. Chair,” Tulfo said. 

[Translation: When an area is hit by a disaster, if you still have to wait for the Quick Response Fund, it can take two to three weeks before it is released. Whereas if AICS funds are already available, the department can immediately release assistance to the beneficiaries in the affected area.]

Gatchalian recalled that in the past, AICS was funded through unprogrammed appropriations under the Strengthening Assistance for Government Infrastructure and Social Programs (SAGIP) fund. However, this practice will be discontinued this year, meaning the amount approved for AICS will be the final allocation for 2026, he said.

“Dahil nga ito ay naabuso in the past. Dun din nang galing yung flood control, dun din nang galing yung flood control, dun din nang galing yung mga ibang mga controversial na issues. So, later on, ipropose po namin na tanggalin na po yan. So, in other words, wala na pong pagpukuhaan ang DSWD dahil wala na pong SAGIP sa unprogrammed,” Gatchalian explained. 

[Translation: This was abused in the past. Funding for flood control and other controversial projects also came from there. That is why we later proposed to remove it altogether. In other words, the DSWD will no longer have a source of funds from SAGIP under unprogrammed appropriations.]

Minority Senator Imee Marcos, meanwhile, raised concerns AICS could be used for politics. 

“Alalahanin natin, may eleksyon nanaman sa 2026, may barangay at BARMM. Huwag naman sana tuluyang mapulitika muli,” she said. 

[Translation: Let us remember that there will be elections again in 2026, including barangay and BARMM elections. Hopefully, this will not once again be politicized.]

Tulfo countered that Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has already proposed a special provision banning any form of political involvement in the distribution of aid.