Manila, Dec. 17 -- Lawmakers in the bicameral conference committee on the proposed 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) moved on Tuesday to raise funding for the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), citing the growing impact of disasters, poverty, and expanded social protection mandates.

Senator Erwin Tulfo flagged the reduced allocation for AICS during the bicameral deliberations, warning that the fund consistently runs out before yearend due to successive calamities and expanded benefits now mandated by law, including burial assistance for indigent families.

"Bakit po tayo bumaba? Mas lalaki po ang gastos ng DSWD... kulang na kulang po ang AICS, lalo na sunod-sun...