House of Representatives/Facebook- Dec. 14, 2025 bicameral conference
The bicameral conference committee has increased the 2026 allocation for the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) to over P63 billion to address the removal of funding sources under unprogrammed appropriations.
During a meeting on Tuesday, Sen. Erwin Tulfo moved for the bicam to adopt the House of Representatives’ version of the AICS allocation after the Senate earlier cut the program over concerns of politicking.
Tulfo said he was pushing for a higher AICS allocation because, based on his experience as former Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) secretary, funds usually run out by October, especially during years marked by multiple calamities.
“So therefore, Mr. Chair, I would request and manifest that we match the allocation with the request under the House GAB (General Appropriations Bill) so that the Secretary of DSWD has some leeway,” Tulfo said.
“By around October, November, we are already asking for QRF (quick response funds) because the cyclones are coming successively,” he added.
Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Suansing, chair of the House committee on appropriations, said Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian had requested an additional P43 billion on top of the P27 billion AICS allocation under the National Expenditures Program.
Suansing said the House was only able to grant P32 billion due to limited fiscal space but noted the need to further raise AICS funding to cover beneficiaries affected by the noncontinuation of the Ayuda Para Sa Kapos ang Kita Program in 2026.
“So with that, we would like to put forth the proposal of the House to bring the amount for AICS to P63,895,478,000,” Suansing said, with House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan seconding the motion.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said another reason to increase AICS funding is the planned removal of the Strengthening Assistance for Government Infrastructure and Social Programs from unprogrammed funds, which previously served as a source of additional AICS financing.
“That is a very good point Sen. Win, we no longer have unprogrammed appropriations particularly SAGIP, we no longer have unprogrammed appropriations allocated for AICS,” Suansing said.