DBM releases ₱5 billion for AICS from unprogrammed 2025 budget funds
By Derco Rosal
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of an additional ₱5 billion to fund the assistance to individuals in crisis situations (AICS) program, aiming to cater to over 410,000 beneficiaries for the fourth quarter of 2025.
DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said the funding will cover the shortfall in the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) protective services program for individuals and families in crisis. The cash release and allotment will come from the ₱6.326-trillion 2025 national budget.
“This latest fund release underscores the importance of unprogrammed appropriations (UAs) as fiscal buffers that enable the government to respond swiftly to social and humanitarian emergencies,” Pangandaman said.
Funds under UAs, according to Pangandaman, “matter most for rapid disaster response, serving as the government’s financial lifeline in times of devastating calamities.”
“UAs are not discretionary or secret funds, but standby allocations duly authorized and approved by Congress. These funds can only be accessed when there are excess or windfall revenues, new revenue measures, or valid loan agreements for foreign-assisted projects,” Pangandaman explained.
“UAs usually serve as fiscal buffers, enabling the government to respond to unforeseen needs or urgent national priorities without breaching the fiscal program approved by Congress,” she added.
Normally, UAs are used to finance priority programs, including aid for rice farmers, social protection measures like the DSWD’s AICS and food stamp program, higher education subsidies, health facilities, personnel benefits, renewable energy (RE) projects, and defense modernization.