State-run policy think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) is backing the institutionalization of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, calling it a crucial shock-responsive safety net for Filipinos.

In a Dec. 5 position paper, PIDS senior research fellow Jose Ramon G. Albert noted that Senate Bill (SB) Nos. 117, 676, 894, and 1445 all seek to institutionalize the DSWD’s AICS program.

PIDS stressed that the proposed measures share a unified objective of institutionalizing AICS as a key component of the country’s social protection framework.

“This initiative is timely, given the succession of health, economic, and climate-related shocks in recent years, and the increasing importance of shock-responsive social protection systems. Thus, a consolidated bill aligns with the continuing need for shock-responsive systems following repeated economic, health, and climate-related disruptions,” PIDS added.

The think tank highlighted that as the Philippines approaches upper middle-income status, the country must broaden its approach to social protection beyond aid targeted solely at the poor, adding that “AICS plays an important complementary role within the broader social protection ecosystem.”

“While the institutionalization of AICS is a welcome step, the law must ensure that the program remains responsive to urgent needs but also reflects principles of targeting, transparency, fiscal sustainability, and alignment with existing social protection infrastructure,” the think tank added.

Institutionalizing AICS offers a key opportunity to bolster the country’s social protection framework. Its success, however, PIDS said, will hinge on setting clear prioritization guidelines and ensuring alignment with existing databases, systems, and related programs.

PIDS recommended that AICS should focus on the bottom 50 percent of households, utilizing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) community-based monitoring system (CBMS) and/or the DSWD’s national household targeting system for poverty reduction or Listahanan.

The think tank added that the institutionalization of AICS should establish an integrated social assistance registry linked with Listahanan, CBMS, PhilSys, and other sectoral databases, noting that real-time data sharing will help prevent duplicate aid, monitor repeat beneficiaries, and maintain program integrity, while enabling the DSWD to identify those needing additional support through programs like the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), livelihood initiatives, or community-based interventions.

“Clearer distinctions are needed between assistance for acute shocks—such as hospitalization, death in the family, or immediate displacement—and assistance for chronic vulnerabilities such as disability or long-term illness,” PIDS further recommended, warning that without this, the program could be overextended and unable to allocate resources efficiently. “Crisis definitions must be harmonized across bills and translated into operational guidelines that social workers can apply consistently,” the think tank added.

PIDS said that heavy reliance on social worker assessments highlights the need for sufficient staffing, proper training, and effective workload management. It added that institutionalizing AICS could boost demand for services, urging that the DSWD be equipped with adequate personnel and logistical resources to manage intake, assessments, case management, and follow-up.

“Regular training and the adoption of digital tools can reduce administrative burden and improve decision-making,” the think tank said.

It also said that the program must remain insulated from political capture, noting that “several bills attempt to curb political interference, but implementation rules must reinforce these safeguards.”

“Beneficiary selection should never be influenced by political recommendations or endorsements, and all releases must be traceable and reported publicly at an appropriate level of granularity. Transparency systems—such as online dashboards, consolidated reports, and community feedback mechanisms—are essential for building public trust,” PIDS said.

Finally, the think tank stressed that “fiscal sustainability should form part of the discussion,” noting that, “As AICS becomes a statutory entitlement, demand is likely to rise. A medium-term expenditure plan, supported by periodic performance audits, process and impact evaluations, should accompany program implementation to ensure that costs remain manageable and that assistance remains impactful.”

“With these improvements, AICS can evolve into a more effective and efficient crisis-response mechanism that serves as a vital lifeline for Filipino families during moments of crisis,” it said.

(Ricardo M. Austria)