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Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Monday asked why the funding for the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) always ballooned during election years from 2020 to 2025. </p><p>Lacson showed figures of AICS allocation from the said years which indicated that from P23.6 billion in 2021, the budget increased to P39.8 billion in 2022, an election year. The allocation decreased to P36.8 billion in 2023, and then to P34.3 billion in 2024, and jumped to P44.4 billion in 2025, another election year. </p><p>“Ginagamit ito sa politika. Not really intended na tulungan yung talagang nangangailangan. So hindi ito driven ng needs kundi driven ng politics,” Lacson said during the plenary deliberations of the proposed 2026 budget.  </p><p>Senator Pia Cayetano, the DSWD’s budget sponsor, said the department will only accept what is given because there is a need. </p><p>“Baka maraming legislators na nag-rerequest pag election year, hindi ko alam. Baka ganoon. But sila tatanggapin nila,” Cayetano said. “Sila matagal na silang humihingi, taon-taon humihingi sila. Baka napapansin lang sila kapag election year.”</p><div> </div><div><strong>HIGHEST, LOWEST AICS </strong></div><p>Lacson also presented lists of places with the highest and lowest AICS allocation as of September 2025. </p><p>Davao City’s second district received the biggest amount followed by Davao City first district and Batangas first district. </p><p>Sulu’s second district topped the list of lowest AICS allocation, followed by Sulu’s first district, and Sultan Kudarat’s second district. </p><p>This prompted Lacson to ask what crisis happened in Davao City that did not happen in Sulu? </p><p>Cayetano explained that the word crisis pertains to personal crisis such as a family member being hit by cancer and being unable to work. </p><p>“Yung kawalan ng income ng family then that is where they can avail of AICS. When we speak of these areas, I would say, Mr. President, all over the country, there are families in crisis, personal crisis,” Cayetano noted. </p><p>Lacson pointed out, however, that there are times when beneficiaries are gathered en masse with congressmen and senators present.</p><p>“Ito yung tinu-turn natin yung programa into a political event tapos nagre-reinforce ng patronage politics,” he stated. </p><p>Lacson appealed to stop this practice and allow DSWD to do its own thing. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/22/lacson-senate-will-oppose-reenacted-2025-budget-1814">Lacson: Senate will oppose reenacted 2025 national budget</a></div><p>Cayetano said a study is already ongoing to determine which programs are really able to address poverty, as requested by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. </p><p>Lacson also proposed consolidating the different ayuda programs under one program through legislation. </p><p>A study is needed for this, according to Cayetano.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/11/24/group-wants-higher-funding-for-philhealth-social-services-amid-infra-mess-1611">&#x27;Utak semento&#x27;: Group wants higher funding for PhilHealth, social services amid infra mess</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4f9gu34G32c?si=5SPNzQ4BDiUi81Bc" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Monday asked why the funding for the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) always ballooned during election years from 2020 to 2025.</p>

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Monday asked why the funding for the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) always ballooned during election years from 2020 to 2025.

Lacson flags AICS budget jump during election years, says program used for politics

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Lacson flags AICS budget jump during election years, says program used for politics

Victoria Tulad,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 24, 2025 06:01 PM PHT

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aics

dswd

ping lacson

pia cayetano

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