The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has confirmed that the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) will serve the clients of the now defunded Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) under the AICS budget allocation of Php63.8 billion for the year 2026.
Director Edwin Morata of the DSWD’s Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) told DZMM’s Serbisyong DSWD for Every Juan that there is sufficient budget for AICS to serve the former AKAP clients, which includes the issuance of Guarantee Letters (GLs) for qualified beneficiaries.
“These 3.9 million [people] will be part of the AICS this year. Of course they are all also undergoing crisis. For example they are taking medicines, they’ve been hospitalized. So kapag inalis sila, baka sabihin nila na wala na silang mapupuntahan. But rest assured, AICS is still there,” CIP Director Edwin Morata said in an interview with DZMM on Saturday (January 17).
The AKAP was implemented as a two-year program starting 2024 and assisted 3.9 million Filipinos in 2025 alone. According to Director Morata, beneficiaries in need previously covered by the AKAP can be accommodated under the AICS.
For 2025, the AKAP was able to disburse Php24 billion nationwide, targeting low-income earners. The program covered medical and burial assistance, transportation, and food assistance, including the issuance of Guarantee Letters.
“We partnered it under AICS to ensure that the right services are being provided to the right person, and for the right purpose,” Director Morata pointed out.
The DSWD’s CIP director also explained the importance of engaging in partnerships for the provision of GLs.
“When we tried to understand some of the people, or maybe this is a culture to some Filipinos, kapag binigyan mo sila ng pera, hindi nila ito nagagamit sa tamang purpose. Sometimes may mga bills sila na need i-settle, and yung maiiwan yun na lang yung nagagamit nila for the needs,” Director Morata said.
The AICS program previously relied heavily on cash assistance, with amounts based on the assessment by social workers. But the outright cash aid was sometimes diverted to expenses unrelated to the intended crisis intervention.
The use of the GL ensures that the requested assistance is spent strictly for its approved purposes.
The Department has expanded partnerships with private hospitals, therapy centers, implant providers, pharmacies with specialized drugs, supermarkets, and transportation companies.
“Wala ng reason ang isang Pinoy na manghihingi sa amin para sabihing wala ang kailangan nila doon, at hihingi ng cash. That is why we are trying to give guarantee letters,” Director Morata said.
Qualified applicants must have a triggering circumstance and must coordinate with the DSWD’s CIP office for assessment and this includes hospitalization and other critical medical procedures.
Patients are not required to appear personally, as relatives may submit documents on behalf of patients.
The maximum amount covered by a Guarantee Letter is up to Php150,000, while cases assessed as grave by social workers may be given a higher amount based on the client’s current situation and need.
The AICS program, to include the issuance of GLs, can be availed by individuals experiencing crisis, regardless of income level.
The DSWD-CIP director also assured the public that Guarantee Letters are insulated from political influence.
“Ang patronage politics kasi ay kung ikaw mismo ang nagbibigay, may photo-ops. Sa pagkakaalam ko parang wala naman po kaming na-experience na ganun,” Director Morata said.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian has directed the strict enforcement of non-partisanship during offsite cash payouts, according to the CIP director.
Only social workers and authorized staff are allowed during operations, and any presence of politicians results in the cancellation or postponement of the payout.
“May pagkakataon na nagkakaroon na kami ng initial coordination (with the LGU) na wag ng pumunta. Very clear sa amin talaga na during the payout dapat kami na lang ang nandoon,” Director Morata said.
Political tarpaulins, signages, and names are also prohibited near cash payout and Guarantee Letter distribution areas.
The DSWD’s AICS operations are currently based at the Paragon Building along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, while Field Offices across all regions continue to process Guarantee Letters for local applicants.
The ‘Serbisyong DSWD for Every Juan’ is aired over DZMM Teleradyo 630 every Saturday from 11am to 12 noon, and anchored by veteran broadcaster Alvin Elchico with Jet Guevarra of the DSWD’s Public Relations Service as co-anchor. (KI)
