The House of Representatives has unanimously approved House Bill 11395, which makes the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) a permanent program under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The bill passed its third and final reading with a 176-0 vote on Wednesday night.
House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas of Gabriela party-list supported the bill but expressed concerns over potential misuse. While recognizing the necessity of making AICS permanent, she warned against public officials using the program for self-promotion or political gain.
“We support the mandate of the State to provide timely aid to those in need, especially in the face of surging prices and high inflation. But public assistance must never be used as a political tool,” Brosas said.
She stressed that assistance programs should be grounded in transparency and accountability, emphasizing that these are funded by taxpayers and not personal gifts from politicians. Brosas also called on fellow lawmakers to ensure legislation truly uplifts marginalized Filipinos and reduces inequality.
A recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed that 63% of Filipinos now consider themselves poor—the highest figure in over two decades. The same poll found that the number of families experiencing involuntary hunger rose to 7.5 million in March 2025, up from 2.9 million in June 2022.