A SUB-PANEL of the House Committee on Appropriations has approved proposals to increase funding for vital social welfare and employment programs by a combined P51.185 billion in the proposed P6.793 trillion national budget for 2026.
This developed following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to remove highly controversial locally funded flood control projects from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget, which freed P255.528 billion in allocations.
During its recent meeting, the House Budget Amendments Review Sub-committee (BARSc) approved a proposal by House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan’s proposal to augment by P32.063 billion the funding for the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
The proposal raises the AICS allocation for 2026 to P59.041 billion, up from the original P26.978 billion proposed in the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) submitted by Malacañang.
The AICS currently has an allocation of P44.685 billion under the 2025 General Appropriations Law.
Victims of natural disasters such as typhoons, floods, earthquakes, fires, volcanic eruptions, and other calamities are among the AICS beneficiaries.
A program under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), AICS is a crucial protective service providing integrated aid –including financial assistance for transportation, medical expenses, burial, food, and other essential support – to individuals and families in crisis.
“We extend our sincere thanks to all the members of the BARSc for their commitment to uplifting the lives of our most vulnerable citizens,” Libanan said.
“Their support ensures that critical social protection programs receive the funding necessary to create meaningful impact across our communities,” he added.
The BARSc is chaired by Nueva Ecija First District Rep. Mikaela Suansing, who also leads the full Committee on Appropriations.
Meanwhile, the BARSc also approved Libanan’s suggestion to increase by P14.819 billion the funding for the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Program, bringing its total allocation for 2026 to P26.962 billion, or more than double the P12.143 billion initially proposed in the 2026 NEP.
TUPAD currently has P18.289 billion in funding under the 2025 General Appropriations Law.
A program under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), TUPAD offers temporary employment opportunities to vulnerable and marginalized Filipinos, including displaced workers.
Similarly, the BARSc approved Libanan’s recommendation to increase funding for the DOLE’s Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program by P3.312 billion.
It also approved augmentations of P635 million and P356 million for the Special Training Employment Program (STEP) and the Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP), respectively – both administered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) under the DOLE.
STEP focuses on community-based training that equips beneficiaries with practical skills for employment, entrepreneurship, and self-employment
Meanwhile, TWSP aims to address job-skill mismatches by aligning workforce skills with industry requirements.
