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Jose Rodel Clapano - The Philippine Star
January 7, 2026 | 12:00am
DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the 8.2 million AICS beneficiaries exceeded the target of the agency for the year 2025.
dswd.gov.ph
MANILA, Philippines — Up to 8.2 million Filipinos nationwide received assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) ayuda program last year.
DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the 8.2 million AICS beneficiaries exceeded the target of the agency for the year 2025.
“In 2024, the target beneficiaries for the AICS program was 4.2 million. In 2025, we increased the target to 6.9 million to serve more people in need. Our accomplishment is at 119.48 percent,” Dumlao said.
Among regions, Central Luzon topped the number of AICS beneficiaries who received assistance in 2025 with more than 800,000, followed by Cagayan Valley with over 780,000 and Calabarzon with 779,000.
“The types of assistance provided to AICS beneficiaries included medical, transportation, burial or funeral, food, assistive devices and technologies, psychosocial and cash,” Dumlao said.
She said the DSWD welcomed the approval by Congress’ bicameral conference committee of the P63.9-billion budget for the implementation of the AICS program this year.
“DSWD’s original proposed budget for the AICS is P26.9 billion. The additional funds will cover an estimated eight million more Filipinos experiencing difficult conditions,” Dumlao said.
She said the increase in the AICS budget would guarantee the implementation of Republic Act 12309 or the Free Funeral Services Act, which lapsed into law in September.
Under the law, Dumlao said the DSWD, under the AICS program, would shoulder funeral expenses of people whose families cannot provide a proper and dignified burial.
AICS is a social protection program of the DSWD that offers an immediate short-term support to people and families facing crises or difficult situations. Critics describe it as a “soft” pork barrel.
