WITH Congress ramping up funds for Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, Social Welfare and Development Sec. Rex Gatchalian on Monday said the government is now better positioned to expand and accelerate assistance to Filipinos reeling from oil price shocks linked to the Middle East crisis.
Speaking before the Legislative Energy Action and Development (LEAD) Joint Committee, Gatchalian credited lawmakers for raising the AICS allocation from P26.9 billion under the National Expenditure Program (NEP) to P63.9 billion, as approved by the bicameral conference committee.
“This is the time na we would like to thank Congress for initiating the move to augment the AICS fund… these are the times na nagagamit natin yung AICS nang hindi natin akalain namagkakaroon ng ganitong krisis,” Gatchalian said in thanking the leadership of Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III and House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos of Ilocos Norte.
He emphasized that the expanded fund has allowed the DSWD to act swiftly as the government’s frontline social protection agency, particularly for sectors directly affected by rising fuel costs.
Under the current intervention, the DSWD has rolled out P5,000 cash assistance to key transport-related sectors whose incomes have been severely impacted by higher fuel prices. These include: tricycle drivers, jeepney drivers
Transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers, delivery riders (e.g., app-based services), motorcycle taxi drivers.
In Metro Manila alone, the program initially targeted over 567,000 beneficiaries, with more than 277,000 already assisted as of the latest reporting period.
Outside the National Capital Region, the DSWD has likewise begun distributing aid to over 367,000 target beneficiaries, with hundreds of thousands already receiving assistance.
The DSWD reported that billions of pesos have already been disbursed within a short period, including:
- Around P1.389 billion released for transport beneficiaries in Metro Manila;
- About P1.3 billion distributed to beneficiaries in cities outside Metro Manila.
Overall, the department has already assisted over 500,000 public utility drivers nationwide, demonstrating the scale and urgency of the intervention.
To sustain the program, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has earmarked P30 billion from the AICS fund specifically to address the impact of fuel price increases.
Gatchalian explained that the AICS program is designed not only to support the poorest sectors but also to protect the “near-poor” or lower middle class from slipping into poverty due to rising costs.
“The purpose po ng tulong na ito, masigurado na ‘yung ating mga mahihirap na kababayan hindi pa lalong mapitpit pababa sa poverty levels… at ‘yung mga near-poor naman… huwag naman sila bumagsak pa sa poverty line,” he said.
He noted that many transport workers, including TNVS drivers, fall under this “near-poor” category and are particularly vulnerable to fuel price shocks.
To ensure integrity and accuracy in distribution, the DSWD initially implemented physical validation and verification of beneficiaries, given that lists are sourced from multiple agencies such as local government units, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
However, the department is now transitioning to digital disbursement systems, particularly for sectors with existing e-wallets, such as TNVS drivers and delivery riders, to speed up future rounds of assistance.
The DSWD aims to complete at least one full round of payouts to identified beneficiaries nationwide within the month, in line with the directive of the President to ensure that no driver or affected worker is left behind.
While current funding remains sufficient, Gatchalian acknowledged that prolonged global instability may require additional resources, especially if multiple rounds of assistance become necessary or if coverage expands to include other affected sectors such as farmers and fisherfolk.
Lawmakers welcomed the update, noting that the expanded AICS funding reflects Congress’ commitment to deliver timely, targeted, and responsive assistance to Filipinos amid global economic uncertainty.
The LEAD Joint Committee continues to monitor the implementation of these programs and explore complementary measures to ensure that rising fuel prices do not further burden Filipino families.
