The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has announced a major shift in its aid distribution strategy, confirming that its flagship crisis assistance program will now serve millions of Filipinos previously covered by a separate, now-defunded initiative.
Seamless Transition for Millions of Beneficiaries
On Sunday, January 18, 2026, the DSWD stated that the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program will fully accommodate the clients of the discontinued Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP). This transition is backed by a substantial budget allocation of PHP63.8 billion for the year 2026.
Director Edwin Morata of the DSWD's Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) emphasized that there is sufficient funding within AICS to support the 3.9 million individuals who were assisted by AKAP in 2025 alone. "These 3.9 million will be part of the AICS this year," Morata said in an interview on DZMM's "Serbisyong DSWD for Every Juan." He assured the public that these beneficiaries, who are all experiencing various crises, will not be left without support.
Shifting from Cash to Guarantee Letters
A key reform in the AICS implementation is the increased use of Guarantee Letters (GLs) instead of outright cash aid. This change addresses past issues where direct financial assistance was sometimes diverted to expenses not related to the immediate crisis.
"When we tried to understand some of the people... when you give them money, they fail to use it for the right purpose. Sometimes there are bills they need to settle, and what remains would be all for their needs," Morata explained. The GL system ensures that the requested assistance—whether for medical procedures, medicine, burial, food, or transportation—is spent strictly for its approved purpose.
The DSWD has significantly expanded its network of partner establishments to support this system, including:
- Private hospitals and therapy centers
- Implant providers and pharmacies with specialized drugs
- Supermarkets and transportation companies
How the New AICS Process Works
Qualified applicants must have a triggering circumstance, such as hospitalization or other critical medical needs. They must coordinate with the CIP office for an assessment. Notably, patients are not required to appear personally; relatives may submit the necessary documents on their behalf.
The maximum amount covered by a standard Guarantee Letter is up to PHP150,000. However, cases assessed by social workers as particularly grave may be granted a higher amount based on the specific situation and need. Morata also strongly assured the public that the issuance of GLs is insulated from political influence, a directive strictly enforced by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian.
The AICS program, including the GL mechanism, is available to individuals experiencing a crisis regardless of their income level. This move effectively merges the target populations of the two programs, with AICS absorbing AKAP's former role of aiding low-income earners. In 2025, AKAP disbursed PHP24 billion nationwide before its funding concluded.
The integration aims to create a more unified, efficient, and accountable crisis response system. "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 concluded.
