Senator Erwin Tulfo clarified that the proposed 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) prohibits the presence of any politician in the payouts of cash assistance provided by the government.
Tulfo set the record straight during the bicameral conference on the bill containing the P6.793-trillion national budget for next year as some lawmakers raised objection against the use of government aid, particularly the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), for politicians’ gain.
“Dito po sa special provision, dapat wala po ‘yung politico doon.”
“Ang akala po kasi, we will continue the old practice na nakikita si politiko, na ‘yung politiko mismo ang nagbibigay. Dito po sa special provision, dapat wala po ‘yung politiko doon. We can only ask the DSWD and direct them kung saan ‘yung calamity-stricken area. The DSWD chooses the beneficiaries,” the legislator said during the bicameral meeting.
Citing the policy that he implemented during his time as DSWD chief which was also adopted by the current leadership of Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the lawmaker said it will be the social workers of the agency who will finalize the list of ayuda beneficiaries.
“I believe under Secretary Rex’s watch, ‘yung DSWD mismo ang pupunta. They go to the ground.”
“I believe under Secretary Rex’s watch, ‘yung DSWD mismo ang pupunta. They go to the ground. They have people on the ground and they list them down. Hindi po ‘yung galing sa politiko na mismo. That was also the practice during my time dito po sa pamimigay ng AICS,” the senator said.
With this issue clarified, he advocated for the P34-billion increase in the AICS program under the DSWD budget for 2026, emphasizing the need for the government to prepare for any event that would need immediate assistance for the affected Filipinos.
The bicameral conference committee eventually approved the P66.528 billion funding for the AICS program for 2026.
“AICS is needed badly. ‘Pag tinamaan po ‘yung isang area, at maghihintay ka pa ng QRF (Quick Response Fund), aabutin po ng dalawa, tatlong linggo bago ma-release. Whereas, kung nandiyan na mismo yung AICS, madali na lang pong ma-release po ito ng department doon sa mga beneficiaries,” Tulfo concluded.
