DBM OKs P5-B cash aid release

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the P5-billion release to the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.

In a statement on Tuesday, the DBM said the AICS fund release is set to help more than 411,000 beneficiaries from October up to the rest of the year.

The AICS program provides medical assistance, burial, transportation, education, food assistance, and cash relief assistance to a person or family in need.

Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said the allocation aims to address the budget deficiency under the Protective Services for Individuals and Families in Difficult Circumstances component of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“This latest fund release underscores the importance of unprogrammed appropriations as fiscal buffers that enable the government to respond swiftly to social and humanitarian emergencies,” she said.

This came as the House of Representatives lawmakers refused to sign the P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026 amid calls to scrap the P35 billion allotted for unprogrammed appropriations.

Ms. Pangandaman explained that unprogrammed appropriations are not “discretionary or secret funds,” but standby allocations duly authorized and approved by Congress.

“These funds can only be accessed when there are excess or windfall revenues, new revenue measures, or valid loan agreements for foreign-assisted projects,” she said. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante