Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Frontline workers from San Juan receive cash at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City on August 27, 2021 during the distribution of financial assistance to medical and non-medical personnel involved in the COVID-19 response. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

CASH-AID

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178175916529220210827-frontliners-cash-assistance-JC-030233060_iOS.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Frontline workers from San Juan receive cash at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City on August 27, 2021 during the distribution of financial assistance to medical and non-medical personnel involved in the COVID-19 response. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — House Committee on Social Services chairperson and Davao Oriental 2nd District Rep. Cheeno Almario on Thursday denied claims that disagreements over the proposed &quot;anti-epal&quot; provision caused delays in the ratification of the bill seeking to institutionalize the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.</p><p>AICS is an existing program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that provides immediate financial, material, and psychosocial assistance to indigent and vulnerable Filipinos facing unexpected crises.</p><p>In a statement, Almario said the House of Representatives did not block the inclusion of the provision and has no intention of allowing the program to be used for political purposes.</p><p>According to Almario, the measure already contains safeguards similar to Section 19 of the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), which explicitly prohibits elected officials, candidates, and political parties from participating in or influencing the release of financial assistance.</p><p>He said the delay in ratifying the bill was due to efforts to ensure that the language of the measure is precise and enforceable.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/17/aics-ratification-delayed-as-lower-house-review-continues-sen-tulfo-airs-frustration-2201">AICS ratification delayed as Lower House review continues; Sen. Tulfo airs frustration</a></div><p>“AICS and all other forms of government aid should never be used for the personal promotion, endorsement, or political advantage of any public official,&quot; Almario said.</p><p>&quot;Our mandate is to ensure a fair, transparent, accountable, and non-partisan distribution of aid to those who need it most,&quot; Almario added.</p><p>Almario said House conferees are ready to proceed and urged both chambers of Congress to work together to finalize the measure.</p><p>&quot;We are partners with the Senate, not adversaries. Let us not turn a shared victory into a misunderstanding,&quot; he said.</p><p>“The House is ready. Let us convene, finalize the wording, and deliver this law,” he added.</p><p>The statement came a day after Senate Committee on Social Justice chairperson Sen. Erwin Tulfo expressed frustration over the delayed ratification of the proposed AICS Institutionalization Act.</p><p>Tulfo said the House has yet to finalize and sign certain documents, citing unresolved provisions that still require further review.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/17/minority-senators-assure-support-for-new-leadership-1845">Minority senators assure support for new leadership</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/564uN2Zi_Zg?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>House Committee on Social Services Chairperson and Davao Oriental 2nd District Rep. Cheeno Almario on Thursday denied claims that disagreements over the proposed "anti-epal" provision caused delays in the ratification of the bill seeking to institutionalize the AICS program.</p>

House Committee on Social Services Chairperson and Davao Oriental 2nd District Rep. Cheeno Almario on Thursday denied claims that disagreements over the proposed "anti-epal" provision caused delays in the ratification of the bill seeking to institutionalize the AICS program.

House panel chair denies anti-epal provision caused delay in AICS bill ratification

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House panel chair denies anti-epal provision caused delay in AICS bill ratification

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 18, 2026 01:09 PM PHT

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