House, Senate versions of AICS bill remain unreconciled after June 17 special session

The House and Senate have passed different versions of legislation that would convert the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program into a permanent statute. The special session called by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on June 17 ended without a reconciled bill that could be sent for his signature.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development began formal implementation of AICS through a 2014 memorandum circular. Funding for the program is drawn from the DSWD budget line for protective services to individuals and families in difficult circumstances, which rose from P40.08 billion in 2022 to P63.9 billion in 2026.

Both chambers describe the same core services: cash assistance for medical, funeral, educational, transportation, and food expenses; material aid such as food packs and hygiene kits; and referrals to other agencies.

Senate Bill No. 1966 lists additional beneficiary categories, including indigenous peoples, rebel returnees, and children living with HIV, and assigns the Department of Information and Communications Technology a role in building an integrated delivery system.

The House version, House Bill No. 6636, does not include these provisions. The Senate bill also contains an explicit prohibition on elected officials participating in the distribution of AICS cash aid or using their names, images, or likenesses in connection with the program.

The House bill contains no such language.

Senator Erwin Tulfo stated on the Senate floor that some House members opposed the Senate version because of the restriction on political participation. House social services chairperson Cheeno Almario told Rappler he supports an anti-epal provision but said it must be discussed in a bicameral conference committee, noting that his chamber views the existing language in the General Appropriations Act as sufficient.