The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said its upcoming guidelines for the implementation of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program will include provisions to shield the program from political influence and promote community participation.
Social Welfare Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao said beneficiaries should be aware that no political actors should be involved in payout activities.
“If beneficiaries are aware, the level of awareness is high, and they themselves will report if they observe anything irregular,” Dumlao said on Monday.
She said the anti-political influence guidelines were previously adopted by the DSWD in 2025 under Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2025-01, together with the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, formerly the National Economic and Development Authority, for the implementation of the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).
“While there is no more AKAP for 2026, we can adopt the same guidelines, which clearly state that the presence of political actors is absolutely prohibited during payout activities,” Dumlao said.
She added that the posting of tarpaulins and posters at payout sites is also prohibited, and that grievance desks must be set up during payout events.
Aside from grievance desks during offsite payout activities, Dumlao encouraged the public to report complaints or concerns through the DSWD’s Integrated Grievance Redress Management System.
“Community participation is crucial. If no one complains, issues cannot be addressed or resolved. That is why grievance platforms must always be available and accessible to citizens,” she said.
