DSWD's AICS gets addt'l P9.5 B this year

Legislators have infused an additional P9.5 billion into the line item funding the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation or AICS program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), The STAR has learned.

- By JANVIC MATEO

A review of the budget documents released on Friday showed that a total of P44.744 billion has been allocated to the DSWD under the line item "Protective Services for Individuals and Families in Difficult Circumstances (PSIFDC)."

In the original 2025 proposed budget, the Marcos administration only requested P35.186 billion for PSIFDC. This included a fraction for personnel services, with all of the funds lodged under the DSWD Central Office.

However, the General Appropriations Act of 2025 or the approved national budget showed that PSIFDC under DSWD Central Office would have a budget of P40.418 billion, with another P4.326 billion directly under the DSWD Regional Office in NCR.

An earlier press release from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said the AICS initiative is "an important element" of the PSIFDC program.

Last year, only P34.277 billion was allocated to PSIFDC, with all funds lodged under the DSWD Central Office. Additional funds were reportedly released late last year to supplement the program.