Beneficiaries of the defunded Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) will be covered under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) following its P63.8-billion budget allocation for 2026, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said.

In a radio interview on Saturday, Jan. 17, Edwin Morata, director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Crisis Intervention Program (CIP), said the AICS has sufficient funding to accommodate former AKAP beneficiaries, including the issuance of Guarantee Letters (GLs) to 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,” he said.

The DSWD noted that the AKAP started in 2024 as a two-year initiative and reached 3.9 million Filipinos in 2025 alone.

Morata stated that beneficiaries in need previously covered by the AKAP can be accommodated under the AICS.

The DSWD said the AKAP released P24 billion nationwide in 2025 to support low-income beneficiaries, covering medical and burial assistance, transportation, food aid, and Guarantee Letters (GLs).

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

As such, the DSWD official explained the importance of forging partnerships in the provision of GLs.

“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 (When we tried to understand some people, or perhaps this is part of the culture among some Filipinos, when they are given cash assistance, it is not always used for its intended purpose. Sometimes they have bills that need to be settled, and whatever remains is what they use for their daily needs),” he stated.

Per the agency, the AICS program previously relied heavily on cash assistance, with amounts based on the assessment by social workers. 

“But the outright cash aid was sometimes diverted to expenses unrelated to the intended crisis intervention,” the DSWD noted.

It noted that the “use of the GL ensures that the requested assistance is spent strictly for its  approved purposes.”

The DSWD said it has expanded partnerships with private hospitals, therapy centers, implant providers, pharmacies with specialized drugs, supermarkets, and transportation companies.

“Wala nang reason ang isang Pinoy na manghihingi sa amin para sabihing wala ang kailangan nila doon, at hihingi ng cash (There is no longer any reason for a Filipino to come to us claiming that what they need is not available and then ask for cash instead). That is why we are trying to give guarantee letters,” Morata said.

The DSWD said qualified applicants must have a triggering circumstance and must coordinate with the DSWD’s CIP office for assessment and this includes hospitalization and other critical medical procedures. 

“Patients are not required to appear personally, as relatives may submit documents on behalf of patients,” it said.

“The maximum amount covered by a Guarantee Letter is up to Php150,000, while cases assessed as grave by social workers may be given a higher amount based on the client’s current situation and need. “

The DSWD said individuals facing crisis may avail themselves of assistance under the AICS, including Guarantee Letters, regardless of their income status.

The agency further assured that the issuance of GLs is free from political interference.

According to the agency, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian has ordered the strict observance of non-partisanship in offsite cash payout activities.

The agency said only social workers and authorized staff may be present during operations, warning that payouts will be canceled or postponed if politicians are present.

Also, the agency said “political tarpaulins, signages, and names are also prohibited near cash payout and Guarantee Letter distribution areas.”