DSWD hails approval of P3 billion additional funds for AICS
MANILA, Philippines — The recently approved additional funding of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program will help more Filipinos, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Wednesday.
According to the DSWD, the AICS program allows indigents to seek monetary assistance from the department to cover their expenses during emergencies and crises.
The Department of Budget Management (DBM) approved the P3 billion additional funding of the program last November 16. Citing the DBM, the DSWD said that the release of the fund is to cover AICS’ budget deficiency.
“We welcome the DBM’s approval of the additional Php 3 billion budget of AICS. This is in response to the increasing demand for support services from individuals and families who are undergoing crisis,” DSWD Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez said in a statement.
“This initiative will help the DSWD continue providing assistance to individuals and families facing difficulties for the remaining months of 2023,” he added.
Lopez also said that with the additional funding, more Filipinos in need of different aids can seek medical, burial, transportation, educational, food, and financial assistance.
Citing Senator Sonny Angara’s bill to institutionalize the AICS program, the DSWD said making the program permanent would help create a system that would always be available and “financially and administratively capable of responding to the needs of Filipinos when dealing with an extreme circumstance.”
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