The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Sunday confirmed that the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) will accommodate beneficiaries of the now-defunded Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) under its P63.8 billion budget allocation for 2026.

DSWD Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) Director Edwin Morata said there is sufficient funding for AICS to serve the 3.9 million Filipinos previously covered by AKAP, including the issuance of Guarantee Letters (GLs) for qualified beneficiaries.

“These 3.9 million [people] will be part of the AICS this year. Of course they are all also undergoing crisis. For example they are taking medicines, they’ve been hospitalized. So kapag inalis sila, baka sabihin nila na wala na silang mapupuntahan. But rest assured, AICS is still there,” Morata said.

AKAP was implemented as a two-year program starting in 2024 and assisted 3.9 million Filipinos in 2025 alone. The program disbursed P24 billion nationwide last year, targeting low-income earners and covering medical and burial assistance, transportation, food aid, and the issuance of Guarantee Letters.

According to Morata, beneficiaries previously assisted under AKAP can now be absorbed by AICS to ensure continuity of support.

“We partnered it under AICS to ensure that the right services are being provided to the right person, and for the right purpose,” he said.

Morata also underscored the importance of partnerships in implementing the Guarantee Letter system, noting that outright cash assistance has at times been diverted to non-crisis-related expenses.

“When we tried to understand some of the people, or maybe this is a culture to some Filipinos, kapag binigyan mo sila ng pera, hindi nila ito nagagamit sa tamang purpose. Sometimes may mga bills sila na need i-settle, and yung maiiwan yun na lang yung nagagamit nila for the needs,” Morata said.

Under the AICS framework, GLs ensure that assistance is used strictly for approved purposes. The DSWD has expanded partnerships with private hospitals, therapy centers, implant providers, pharmacies with specialized medicines, supermarkets, and transportation companies.

“Wala ng reason ang isang Pinoy na manghihingi sa amin para sabihing wala ang kailangan nila doon, at hihingi ng cash. That is why we are trying to give guarantee letters,” Morata said.

Qualified applicants must have a triggering crisis circumstance and coordinate with DSWD’s CIP office for assessment. Patients are not required to appear personally, as relatives may submit documents on their behalf.

Guarantee Letters may cover up to P150,000, while cases assessed as grave by social workers may receive higher assistance depending on the client’s situation and needs. AICS services, including GL issuance, are available to individuals experiencing crisis regardless of income level.

Morata also assured the public that the issuance of Guarantee Letters is insulated from political influence.

“Ang patronage politics kasi ay kung ikaw mismo ang nagbibigay, may photo-ops. Sa pagkakaalam ko parang wala naman po kaming na-experience na ganun,” he said.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian has ordered strict enforcement of non-partisanship during offsite cash payouts, Morata added. Only social workers and authorized personnel are allowed during operations, and the presence of politicians results in the cancellation or postponement of payouts.

“May pagkakataon na nagkakaroon na kami ng initial coordination (with the LGU) na wag ng pumunta. Very clear sa amin talaga na during the payout dapat kami na lang ang nandoon,” Morata said.

Political tarpaulins, signage, and names are also prohibited near cash payout and Guarantee Letter distribution areas.

The DSWD’s AICS operations are currently based at the Paragon Building along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, while field offices nationwide continue to process Guarantee Letters for local applicants.