NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 2788
24 AUG 14 P6 -47
lU'CEiVLJ U
(In substitution of S. Nos. 1821, 2032, 2328, and 2638)
Prepared and submitted jointly by the Committees on Sociai Justice, Welfare and Rural 
Development; and Finance; with Senators Tulfo, Angara, Marcos, Go, and Gatchalian, 
as authors thereof
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR AID TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES SEEKING MEDICAL, 
FUNERAL, FOOD, TRANSPORTATION, EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE, 
PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT AND OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES, 
INSTITUTIONALIZING FOR THIS PURPOSE THE ASSISTANCE TO 
INDIVIDUALS IN CRISIS SITUATION (AICS) PROGRAM OF THE 
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT (DSWD), 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Assistance to
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Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Act".
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall promote a just and dynamic
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social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free
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the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services.


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promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life
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for all, specifically to individuals in extreme and difficult situations.
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Sec. 3. Coverage. - This Act shall cover all individuals and families determined
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to be in a "state of active crisis" or "crisis situation", as defined in this Act, or needing
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financial or material support from the National Government, whether or not as a form
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of augmentation to that provided by the individual or family's local government unit
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(LGU), based on the assessment of a Department of Social Welfare and Development
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(DSWD) Social Worker. In general, any individual, whether indigent or not, including
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persons with disability, senior citizens, solo parents, farmers, fisherfolk, and other
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vulnerable sectors, who is in a crisis situation or in difficult circumstances in life may
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be assisted through the provision of any of the assistance available under this Act,
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subject to the guidelines to be provided by the DSWD.
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Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms are
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hereby defined as follows:
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a. AICS Program shall refer to a social safety net or stop-gap measure to support the
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recovery of individuals and families suffering from unexpected life events or crises
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through the provision of psychosocial intervention and/or direct financial/material
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assistance that may enable them to meet their basic needs in the form of food,
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transportation, medical, educational and burial assistance. It is also known as the
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"Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation Program", and herein interchangeably
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referred to as "AICS" or "Program";
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b. Authorized Representative refers to any person who represents a beneficiary who,
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for certain reasons, will not be physically present in processing and claiming the
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assistance requested. Authorized representatives shall be limited to:
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1. Famiiy Member(s) refers to a relative up to the fourth degree of
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consanguinity or affinity, including the spouse, children, parents, siblings,
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uncles, aunts, grandparents and grandchildren of the beneficiary.


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Beneficiaries including, but not limited to, children, minor, or a foundling 
child who have no parents may be represented by their surviving 
grandparents or person with special parental authority; and
2. In extremely justifiable circumstances, any other individual acting as a 
representative of a beneficiary. Provided, that said individual shall not be 
allowed to represent more than two (2) beneficiaries who are unrelated to 
him/her for every calendar year.
For this purpose, the information of the representative shall also be 
subject to the crossmatching process, as defined in this Act;
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c. Beneficiary refers to the person who actually needs the assistance, or on whose
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behalf the assistance is being sought from the DSWD through an authorized
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representative. The beneficiary is the ultimate recipient of the assistance;
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d. Case Management refers to a process of assessing, planning, managing,
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coordinating and advocating for services and other interventions used by the
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Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to enable the qualified
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beneficiaries to improve their functioning by dealing with their difficulties in
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addressing their needs;
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e. Cash Voucher refers to a coupon or document provided to individuals in crisis with
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the power to purchase authorized items set and identified by the Department;
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f. Certificate of Eiigibiiity (CE) refers to a document issued by the DSWD, duly
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approved by the approving authorities, that proves that the client is eligible to
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receive the interventions and services under the AICS program;
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g. Client refers to any individual, group, or family who may be the beneficiary who
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seeks assistance or the authorized representative, on behalf of the beneficiary due
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to the latter's inability to be physically present;
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h. Crisis Situation(s) refer to a time in the individual's life when they experience a
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breakdown or disruption in their usual or normal daily activities or family


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functioning. Such disruption prevents them from adequately performing their social
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roles and functions, and may lead them into worsened life situations;
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i. Crossmatching refers to the process of counter-checking the information or data
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sets provided by the client who seeks the assistance of the DSWD;
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j. Financial Assistance refers to the provision of augmentation to the needs of an
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individual either through cash, cash vouchers, guarantee letters provided to
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qualified beneficiaries;
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k. General Intake Sheet (GIS) refers to the form used by the DSWD Social Workers
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to record the basic information of the beneficiary and the authorized
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representative, the problem presented, and intake the assessment as well as the
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recommendation of assistance to the beneficiaries;
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I. Guarantee Letter (GL) refers to the document issued by the DSWD in favor of the
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beneficiary addressed to service providers to guarantee payment of the service on
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behalf of the beneficiary. The service providers may include hospitals, funeral
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homes, and such other providers that are willing to accept the GLs issued by the
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DSWD for payment of their services and/or goods for the beneficiary;
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m. Material Assistance Distribution Sheet (MOS) refers to the form used by the DSWD
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to list/record all clients who will receive material assistance as provided in this Act;
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n. Outright Cash refers to the actual monetary aid provided to the beneficiary;
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o. Registered Social Worker is a qualified professional in public or private practice,
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with a license to practice social work, recognized and designated by the DSWD or
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the LSWDO. Their role encompasses an understanding of the client's needs,
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assessing and employing appropriate interventions aligned to each individual's
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circumstances, all within the framework of the approved guidelines and
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professional standards;
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p. Repeat or Recurring Clients are those who seek assistance for at least three (3) to
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four (4) times in a quarter or at least more than twice in a semester and once in a


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quarter, or those who visit the Crisis Intervention Unit/Sections (CIU/S) Office or
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SWAD Satellite Office (SWAD Office) regularly or seasonally due to lack of
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knowledge on possible types of assistance;
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q. Social Case Study Report (SCSR) refers to the document prepared by a
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professional social worker In public and private practice that describes in detail
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the situation and conditions of the beneficiary, including his/her social history.
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The document likewise includes assessment, plan for intervention and
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recommendation; and
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r. Service Provider refer to hospitals, funeral homes, and other institutions, and
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enterprises, such as, but not limited to, diagnostic laboratories, clinics, and
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drugstores among others which are willing to accept the GLs issued by the DSWD
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for payment of their services and/or goods provided to the beneficiary.
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Sec. 5. Lead Agency and Coordination with Related Government Assistance
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Program. - The DSWD shall be the lead agency in the implementation of the AICS
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Program and shall be responsible in the administration, sourcing, assessment, and
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approval of all applications in availing from the appropriated funds for the
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implementation of the Program.
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Sec. 6. Modes of Implementation and Delivery of the AICS Program. - The
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services under the AICS Program may take the following forms:
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1. Financial Assistance - It may take the form of:
a) Medical Assistance - This assistance shall cover hospitalization expenses 
and professional fees, cost of medicines and other medical treatment or 
procedures such as implants, standard common laboratory tests, 
diagnostic imaging procedures, physical/speech/occupational therapy for 
any needs, intrapartum/postpartum complications blood transfusion, anti­
rabies severe oral complications, chronic illnesses, provision of assistive 
devices for persons with disabilities and medical supplies including oxygen 
tanks and life support machines.


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A client may be given assistance based on a hospital bill only once. 
Additionally, an in-patient beneficiary may request other assistance if the 
needed medicine/s or treatment of the patient is not avaiiable at the 
hospital of confinement in suppiement to PhilHealth benefits.
Other health care expenses such as immunization, normai birthing (except 
for birth deiivery with complications or victims of rape), admission to 
rehabilitation centers due to drug abuse, cosmetic surgery, purchase of 
vitamins and other suppiements eyeglasses, and dental problems, which 
are not directly related to medical treatment or the aftercare shall not be 
covered by assistance. Also, reimbursement of payments will not be 
covered.
b) Funeral Assistance - This assistance shali cover funeral and other related 
expenses including, but not limited to, expenses in bringing the remains 
of the deceased to his or her residence or hometown, interment, 
cremation, and/or burial site in accordance with existing customary 
practices of the family especially among Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and 
Moros.
Funeral and related expenses due to a disaster, calamity, and/or critical 
events or similar circumstances resulting in one or multiple casualties 
within the family may allow the surviving family member/immediate 
relative of the deceased to request outright cash assistance subject to the 
assessment of the DSWD Social Worker, without the need of a SCSR.
c) Transportation Assistance - The assistance for the purchase or payment 
of transport (air/sea/land) tickets and/or expenses for travels of 
beneficiary/client, within the Philippines, for purposes not limited to, 
emergency concerns such as death or care of sick immediate family 
members or relatives, rescue of abused or trafficked relatives, or events 
of disaster/calamity that require immediate presence of the beneficiary.


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Outright cash may be considered for those traveling using multiple modes 
of transportation or when purchasing tickets and other expenses are not 
available.
If the DSWD procures the ticket for the beneficiary, the expenses for food 
and other necessary expenses for the travel shall be given to the 
beneficiary in cash. The Social Worker shall state in the CIS or a separate 
justification attached to the CE his/her assessment to justify the provision 
of outright cash.
In special cases, such as relatives who will assist in the transfer of cadaver, 
outright cash may be provided given the assessment and recommendation 
of the Social Worker.
d) Educational Assistance -A form of assistance given to a learners-in-crisis, 
to help defray school expenses and/or cost of sending learners/children 
to school such as school fees, school supplies, school projects, 
allowances,-and other related expenses.
This assistance shall be limited to "Learners in Crisis" which is defined as 
a student in elementary, secondary or tertiary level who is facing 
significant challenges or difficulties that impede their ability to function 
well academically and impact the student's well-being and ability to learn 
effectively. These shall be considered but not limited to:
a. Children with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or whose 
parents are living with HIV;
b. Child of Distressed OFW such as repatriated, unfinished contract, 
abused with certification from OWWA;
c. A Student who is a Person With Disabilities or a Solo Parent;
d. A Child of a Person With Disabilities or a Solo Parent;
e. A Student or Child of Rebel Returnees;
f. Children who are Orphaned or Abandoned;


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g. Students who are victims of calamities/disasters, crimes, victims of 
violence against women and their children, trafficking;
h. Victims of Abused or displacement;
i. 
Students whose parents are persons deprived of liberty and family 
of Killed-In-Action (KIA)/ Wounded-In-Action (WIA); and
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Breadwinners or acting as head of the family/ working students 
with unemployed parents.
The assistance shall not cover graduate (Masteral) and post­
graduate (Doctoral) studies including professional degrees such as 
Doctor of Medicine and Bachelor of Laws/Juris Doctor, and those 
expenses for the review for the licensure/bar examinations.
e) Cash Relief Assistance for Other Support Services - This is an 
assistance in the form of outright cash provided to individuals and 
families in crisis or in extremely difficult circumstances such as victims 
of calamities, disasters, crimes, victims of violence against women and 
their children, trafficking, and repatriated overseas Filipino workers 
and other similar circumstances, in which the need is not covered 
under any of the other services of the AICS program. These individuals 
and families must establish that they are in a state of active crisis or 
vulnerability to crisis or are recovering therefrom as validated by the 
assessment of the LSWDO Social Worker or DSWD Social Worker.
Provided, That, financial assistance may be provided in the following 
modes: (1) Outright cash - For assistance in the amount of Php 
10,000.00 and below, the entitled beneficiary/client may claim it from 
the designated disbursing officer within the day, subject to the 
availability of funds. Depending on the assessment, the Social Worker 
may propose the provision of outright cash to the clients who are 
determined to be better assisted therewith because of their 
circumstances; and (2) GL - Assistance above Php 10,000.00, especially 
medical and funeral assistance, shall be released through a GL, unless


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other modes are necessary, as may be justified by the DSWD Social
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Worker, in accordance with the rules and regulations.
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2. Material Assistance - The provision of food and non-food items to the
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beneficiary who needs the immediate material support which can be covered by the
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items listed below, subject to the availability of the material assistance and the
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funding required, and provided that any acquisition of goods and services shall be
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subject to existing procurement laws, rules, and regulations. This assistance may
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be given simultaneously or successively with financial assistance based on the
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assessment of the handling DSWD Social Worker depending on the posing needs
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of the beneficiary.
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a. Family Food Packs and Other Food Items - These may be in the form of
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hot/ ready- to-eat/ pre-cooked/ pre-packed meals, or food voucher,
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whenever available. It may be given to individuals and families in need
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or in vulnerable situations such as those who are unemployed, without
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family support, persons with disabilities- in-crisis, homeless individual or
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family in street situations, or victims of fire incidents, severe drought (El
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Nino), La Nina, flood, or other similar incidents that cause hunger.
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The contents of the family food packs may be the same as that regularly
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provided during disaster operations. However, the Program
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Management Bureau (PMB) may provide food packs containing ready-
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to-eat/ pre-cooked/ pre- packed meals, or those especially packaged for
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groups in vulnerable situations, not limited to, older persons, pregnant
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women, lactating mothers or other persons with special needs, the
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standard composition of said food packs may be recommended by the
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Nutritionist-Dietitian of the PMB, duly approved by the Undersecretary
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for Operations.
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Family food packs and other food items are provided by the
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National Resources and Logistics Management Bureau (NRLMB) of
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DSWD specifically for individuals and families affected by disasters and
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calamities and difficult circumstances.


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However, individuals and families who are unemployed, without
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family support, PWDs in crisis, homeless, or living on the streets may
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still receive assistance in the form of cash relief or food assistance.
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b. Hygiene and Sleeping Kits- The contents of these kits may be the same
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as that regularly provided during disaster operations.
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c. Assistive Devices or Technoiogies - Assistive devices and technologies
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are those whose primary purpose is to maintain or improve an
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individual's functioning and independence to facilitate participation and
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to enhance overall well-being. Examples of assistive devices and
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technologies include wheelchairs, canes, walkers, prostheses, hearing
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aids, visual aids, and specialized computer software and hardware that
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increase mobility, hearing, vision, or communication capacities.
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3. 
Psychosociai Support Assistance - a service provided by trained or professional
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psychosocial support workers to help meet the psychological, emotional, social,
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and spiritual needs of beneficiaries and their families. It is a set of interventions
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that intends to positively improve a person's behavior to reduce the impact of
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stress brought about by a crisis through behavioral modification interventions. It
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is offered on a case-by-case basis, tailored to the specific needs identified during
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the client interview and assessment. This is intended for giving immediate relief
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to psychological and emotional issues under specific circumstances through the
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following:
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a. Psychoiogicai First Aid (PFA) refers to a humane, supportive response to
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a fellow human being who is suffering and who may need support. It
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refers to the immediate assistance in the form of comfort giving and
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clarificatory counseling provided to children, adolescents, adults, and
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families who are affected by disaster or traumatic incidents. The
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following are the themes of PFA:
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(a) providing practical care and support, that does not intrude;
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(b) assessing needs and concerns;
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(c) helping people to address basic needs such as, food and water,
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information;
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(d) listening to people, but not pressuring them to talk;
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(e) comforting people and helping them to feel calm;
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(f) helping people connect to information, services and social
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supports;
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(g) protecting people from further harm.
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This is an evidence-informed modular approach to help children,
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adolescents, adults, and families who are affected by a disaster or
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traumatic incident, whether survivors, witnesses, or responders to such
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events, to cope up with the struggle, stress, trauma so they face new
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challenges following the event or otherwise return to their normal social
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functioning. This aims to provide early assistance within days or weeks
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following an event.
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b. Social Work Counseling - Refers to counseling to help clients clarify
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issues, gain insight into their feelings and thoughts affecting their
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behaviors, and facilitate them to process these feelings and thoughts, to
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identify potential solutions, and to deal effectively with their problems
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resulting in a state of active crisis. This is conducted by utilizing the
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Social Work Perspective in counseling such as the use of the Bio-Psycho-
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Social approach and the Person-In-Environment framework.
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4. Referral Services - This refers to the assistance that is not available at the offices,
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bureaus, services, or units of the DSWD or other government agencies and/or
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institutions. This involves services that are not limited to referrals to legal services,
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psychological and/or psychiatric interventions, social case management, and
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admission to facilities deemed to be needed by the beneficiary.
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If necessary, the social worker handling the case shall prepare a Social
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Case Study Report indicating his/her assessment and recommendation, and shall
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include it in the referrai ietter of the ciient. He/she may escort the client to the
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referred agency for proper endorsement. In all cases, the CIU/S shall coordinate
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accordingly to ensure that the referrals are immediately and properly acted upon
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for further case management.
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The DSWD shall integrate and collaborate with other government agencies,
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LGUs, businesses and labor groups, and civil society groups in implementing similar
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or related programs and services for an efficient and effective whole-of-nation
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approach in the delivery of social safety nets.
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Sec. 7. Program Beneficiaries. - All individuals and families determined to be
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in a "state of active crisis" or "crisis situation", as defined in this Act, or needing
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financial or other social service support/intervention provided to individuals or families
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in crisis which may complement the support already provided by the Local Government
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Unit (LGU), government agencies, and non-government organizations, as determined
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by an assessment conducted by a DSWD Social Worker. In general, any individual,
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whether indigent, financially incapacitated or in situations of vulnerability, who is in a
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crisis situation or in difficult circumstances in life may be assisted through any of the
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assistance provided in the Act.
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Sec. 8. Documentary Requirements. - As a general rule, the beneficiary or
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authorized representative shall submit a copy of their valid identification cards or any
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alternative document/s for identification, except in cases where the beneficiary or
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representative has no valid identification card such as, but not limited to, children who
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are not enrolled in schools, indigenous people, victims of fire, typhoon or other
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calamities or disasters whether natural or human-induced. In which case, the
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barangay certification or justification from the DSWD Social Welfare Officer (SWO)
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pertaining to the absence of a valid identification card shall suffice.
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A person who is acting as an authorized representative of the beneficiary shall
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present an authorization letter duly signed by the beneficiary and a photocopy of the
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beneficiary's ID, except when:
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a. The client is an immediate family member of the beneficiary;
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b. Beneficiary is a minor;
c. Beneficiary has no capacity to act such as:
- Individuals with Cognitive Disabilities: People with severe cognitive 
impairments or mental disabilities that prevent them from making 
informed decisions.
- Incapacitated Elderly: Elderly individuals who have lost their mental 
capacity due to conditions such as dementia.
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Persons with Severe Mental Health Issues: Individuals who are declared 
legally incapacitated due to severe mental illnesses or disorders.
- Comatose or Unconscious Individuals: People in a coma or unconscious 
state who cannot make decisions during that period.
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Under other certain circumstances (such as being currently admitted to 
the hospital with severe trauma), beneficiaries may temporarily lack the 
capacity to act or make decisions independently.
- Other considerations indicated in Republic Act 386 s. 19499 and other 
pertinent provisions.
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The DSWD may also prescribe the necessary documentary requirements for
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each type of assistance that may be availed by the program beneficiary.
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Sec. 9. Implementing Procedure. - The DSWD shall determine the procedure
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which shall be utilized in the implementation of the AICS Program, as provided in this
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Act.
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Sec. 10. Rate of Assistance and Frequency of Availment. - The rates of
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assistance and the frequency of availment shall be as follows:
Type
Particulars
Amount of Assistance
Frequency of 
Availment
Minimum Maximum
Transportation
Assistance
Land/Sea/Air
Actual cost based on 
ticket quotation and/or 
travel expenses
General Rule 
(GR): Once for the 
purpose of 
going back to 
their place of 
origin for good.
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Travel
Exceptions
(XPN):
For Specific 
cases such as:
a. 
Travel due 
to death - every 
death incident
b. 
Travel for 
medical reasons - 
as the need arises
Medical
Assistance
Hospital Bill
1,000.00
300,000.00
GR: Once per 
hospital bill
XPN: for chronic 
diseases/ illnesses 
- per hospitaliza­
tion or admission
Medicines
1,000.00
150,000.00
Once every three 
(3) months
Laboratory
Procedures
Other special 
treatments such 
as, but not limited 
to, dialysis, 
chemotherapy 
implant and pre­
operation 
procedures
Funeral
Assistance
Funeral Expenses
5,000.00
50,000.00
GR: Per 
beneficiary or 
incident of death 
XPN: Casualties 
during disasters or 
calamity - Per 
casualty
Transfer of
Cadaver
10,000.00
Casualties during 
disaster/ calamity
Educational
Assistance
Elementary
students
1,000.00
5,000.00
Once every school 
year
High school 
students
2,000.00
Senior high school 
students
3,000.00
10,000.00
Once every 
semester (varies 
per region)
College and
vocational
students
4,000.00
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Food Assistance
Food subsidy for 
individuals or 
families
2,000.00
5,000.00
GR: Once every 
semester
XPN: Patients - 
once evry 
admission
Cash Relief 
Assistance
Other needs
2,000.00
10,000.00
Once for every 
applicable incident 
Fcalamityl
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Provided that, this kind of assistance shall be validated by the CIU/CIS
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Head/SWAD Team Leader and approved by the authorized approving official or his/her
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alternate, as determined by the DSWD in the implementing rules and regulations.
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Further, the above schedule shall not be interpreted to limit the attending
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DSWD Social Worker from recommending a higher amount or the provision of a series
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of assistance that can be simultaneously or successively given, subject to the
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assessment and justification of the client's circumstances, especially those that may
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take time before recovery, which shall be validated by the CIU/CIS Head/SWAD Team
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Leader and approved by the proper authority, as may be provided in the rules and
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regulations.
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This Act shall subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and
13 
Management (DBM) and endorsed by the advisory council, when necessary, adjust the
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amount of assistance every two (2) years, taking into account the present consumer
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price index as published by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and relevant
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economic indicators as reported and published by pertinent government agencies and
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authorities.
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Sec. 11. Handling of Repeat or Recurring Clients. - The PMB shall establish a
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centralized database for repeat or recurring clients, as defined in this Act, that could
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also be accessed by the FOs to prevent them from availing assistance twice or more
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in a quarter. These clients shall be under case management and, whenever deemed
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appropriate, may be endorsed to the LGU where they reside for further intervention.
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Sec. 12. Compliance Mechanism. - The DSWD shall establish mechanisms to
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ensure compliance with the provisions of this Act. It shall provide a list of prohibited
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activities, such as, but not limited to, cuts for commission, job sharing, ghost
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beneficiaries, duplicate beneficiaries, and padding of beneficiaries.
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Any violation of this provision shall result in the reimbursement of any amount
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involved, with legal interest, and without prejudice to the filing of appropriate civil,
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criminal or administrative case and to the application of relevant rules and regulations
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of the Commission on Audit.
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SEC. 13. Staffing Complement - For the effective implementation of the
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program, adequate personnel is necessary. For this purpose, establishment of an
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office with appropriate organization structure shall be developed at the level of DSWD
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Central Office, Field Offices, Social Welfare and Development and Satellite Offices.
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Further, the DSWD is hereby authorized to create the required plantilla and
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staffing requirements necessary for the implementation of this act in coordination with
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the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and Civil Service Commission
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(CSC). The DSWD shall include in the budgetary requirements submission to DBM the
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required budget for Personnel Services (PS) and Miscellaneous and other Operating
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Expenses (MOOE). Priority hiring shall be given to the qualified social workers.
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Budgetary requirements shall be included in the General Appropriations Act (GAA)."
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Sec. 14. Authority to Receive and Administer Donations for AICS Program. -
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The Department is hereby authorized under this Act to receive donations from
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government and non-government organizations and to administer the same strictly
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and exclusively for the beneficiaries of the AICS Program, subject to relevant and
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existing rules and regulations.
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Sec. 15. Monitoring, Reporting, and Evaluation of the AICS Program. - The
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DSWD shall establish an AICS Database to ensure compliance with the provisions of
25 
this Act. This database would facilitate accurate profiling of AICS beneficiaries and
26 
serve as a monitoring mechanism to monitor for the benefits provided to them. It could
27 
also be used to verify beneficiary qualifications for similar benefits over time such as
28 
medical assistance. DSWD shall use the PhilSys number as an identification number
16


1 
of the beneficiaries to establish a standardized monitoring, evaluation, and reporting
2 
system to properly document the implementation of the AICS Program.
3 
It shall also submit to Congress, and make available to the public, an annual
4 
Accomplishment Report and utilization of the funds earmarked for the implementation
5 
of the Program. The Report shall include the pertinent details of the implementation,
6 
such as, but not limited to, the mode of implementation, number of beneficiaries,
7 
donations from private and other organizations, expenditures, number of beneficiaries
8 
who acquired assistance under the Program, and other pertinent information as may
9 
be necessary. An impact evaluation shall be conducted from time to time, but not later
10 
than every three (3) years.
11 
Sec. 16. Grievance Mechanisms. - The DSWD shall establish grievance
12 
mechanisms for the filing or reporting of complaints or grievances and other related
13 
laws arising from the implementation of the AICS Program. For this purpose, the
14 
Department shall ensure that all beneficiaries and stakeholders of the Program have
15 
access to these grievance mechanisms.
16 
Sec. 17. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - Within ninety (90) days from
17 
the effectivity of this Act, the DSWD shall issue the necessary rules and regulations
18 
for the effective implementation of this Act.
19 
Sec. 18. Appropriations. - The appropriations necessary for the initial
20 
implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the current budget of the DSWD.
21 
Thereafter, the amount necessary for its continued implementation shall be included
22 
in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA); Provided, That such appropriation
23 
shall take into consideration an administration cost of not more than five percent (5%),
24 
subject to periodic review and appropriate recommendation for increase, whenever
25 
necessary. For this purpose, the DSWD shall issue the appropriate guidelines on the
26 
utilization and management of the administration cost.
27 
Sec. 19. Separabiiity Cause. - If for any reason, any provision of this Act is
28 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected
29 
shall remain in full force and effect.
17


1 
Sec. 20. Repealing Clause. - All laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, other
2 
issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed
3 
or modified accordingly.
4 
Sec. 21. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
5 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
18