Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
Introduced by 
Rep. Robert Nazal 
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 
EXPLANATORY NOTE​
The proposed “Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Act” translates an 
already indispensable stop-gap service into a statutory social-protection guarantee. 
Filipino families remain highly vulnerable to unexpected crises. The Philippine Statistics 
Authority (PSA) recorded a 15.5 percent national poverty rate in 2023, equal to 17.54 
million people — nearly one in every six citizens. On the health front, households still 
paid 44.4 percent of the country’s total health spending out-of-pocket in 2023, placing 
millions at risk of financial ruin when illness strikes. 
Against this backdrop, the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s AICS 
window has become the government’s frontline safety net: over six million Filipinos 
received medical, burial, food, transportation, cash, or psychosocial assistance between 
January and November 2024 alone, far exceeding original targets. To keep pace, the 
DSWD’s 2025 budget proposal earmarks ₱35.1 billion for social services “for individuals 
and families in difficult situations,” with AICS as the flagship program. 
Building upon the committee report passed by the Senate in the 19ᵗʰ Congress (SB No. 
2788), this bill: 
1. Defines “crisis situation” and standardizes eligibility nationwide;
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3:54 pm
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2. Sets inflation-indexed ceilings for medical, funeral, transportation, educational
and cash-relief assistance while mandating psychosocial support and referral
services;
3. Creates a PhilSys-linked beneficiary database to eliminate duplication and
strengthen evidence-based case management; and
4. Imposes firm audit, grievance and penalty provisions to safeguard public
funds and guarantee timely redress.
This bill aims to secure predictable funding subject to congressional oversight, ending 
the annual scramble for supplemental appropriations; harmonize rules across 17 DSWD 
field offices, shortening processing time for clients in distress; and generate publicly 
available data through mandated annual performance reports and triennial impact 
evaluations—an evidence trove for academics and policy analysts. 
As President Manuel L. Quezon once declared, “Social justice is the means by which 
we shall attain peace.” Institutionalizing AICS operationalizes that principle: it offers 
“help that arrives before hope runs out,” transforming discretionary aid into a 
rights-based shield against the economic aftershocks of sickness, bereavement or 
disaster — one medical bill, school fee or funeral expense at a time. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Rep. ROBERT NAZAL 
Representative 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
Introduced by 
Rep. Robert Nazal 
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: 
SEC. 1. TITLE.  
This Act shall be known as the “Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Act”. 
SEC. 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY.  
The State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity 
and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that 
provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, 
and an improved quality of life for all, specifically to individuals in extreme and difficult 
situations. 
SEC. 3. COVERAGE. 
This Act shall cover all individuals and families determined to be in a “state of active 
crisis” or “crisis situation”, as defined in this Act, or needing financial or material support 
from the National Government, whether or not as a form of augmentation to that 
provided by the individual or family’s local government unit (LGU), based on the 
assessment of a Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Social 
Worker. In general, any individual, whether indigent or not, including persons with 
disability, senior citizens, solo parents, farmers, fisherfolk, and other vulnerable sectors, 
2185


who is in a crisis situation or in difficult circumstances in life may be assisted through the 
provision of any of the assistance available under this Act, subject to the guidelines to 
be provided by the DSWD. 
 
SEC. 4. DEFINITION OF TERMS. 
 
For purposes of this Act, the following terms are hereby defined as follows: 
 
A.​
AICS Program shall refer to a social safety net or stop-gap measure to support the 
recovery of individuals and families suffering from unexpected life events or crises 
through the provision of psychosocial intervention and/or direct financial/material 
assistance that may enable them to meet their basic needs in the form of food, 
transportation, medical, educational and burial assistance. It is also known as the 
“Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation Program”, and herein interchangeably 
referred to as “AICS” or “Program”; 
 
B.​
Authorized Representative refers to any person who represents a beneficiary who, 
for certain reasons, will not be physically present in processing and claiming the 
assistance requested. Authorized representatives shall be limited to: 
 
1.​
Family Member(s) refers to a relative up to the fourth degree of consanguinity 
or affinity, including the spouse, children, parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, 
grandparents and grandchildren of the beneficiary. Beneficiaries including, 
but not limited to, children, minors, 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 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; 
 
C.​
Beneficiary refers to the person who actually needs the assistance, or on whose 
behalf the assistance is being sought from the DSWD through an authorized 
representative. The beneficiary is the ultimate recipient of the assistance; 
 
D.​
Case Management refers to a process of assessing, planning, managing, 
coordinating and advocating for services and other interventions used by the 
DSWD to enable qualified beneficiaries to improve their functioning by dealing with 
their difficulties in addressing their needs; 
 
E.​
Cash Voucher refers to a coupon or document provided to individuals in crisis with 
the power to purchase authorized items set and identified by the Department; 
 


F.​
Certificate of Eligibility (CE) refers to a document issued by the DSWD, duly 
approved by the approving authorities, that proves that the client is eligible to 
receive the interventions and services under the AICS Program; 
 
G.​
Client refers to any individual, group, or family who may be the beneficiary who 
seeks assistance or the authorized representative on behalf of the beneficiary due 
to the latter’s inability to be physically present; 
 
H.​
Crisis Situation(s) refer to a time in the individual’s life when they experience a 
breakdown or disruption in their usual or normal daily activities or family 
functioning which prevents them from adequately performing their social roles and 
functions and may lead them into worsened life situations; 
 
I.​
Crossmatching refers to the process of counter-checking the information or data 
sets provided by the client who seeks the assistance of the DSWD; 
 
J.​
Financial Assistance refers to the provision of augmentation to the needs of an 
individual either through cash, cash vouchers, or guarantee letters provided to 
qualified beneficiaries; 
 
K.​
General Intake Sheet (GIS) refers to the form used by the DSWD Social Workers 
to record the basic information of the beneficiary and the authorized 
representative, the problem presented, and the assessment as well as the 
recommendation of assistance to the beneficiary; 
 
L.​
Guarantee Letter (GL) refers to the document issued by the DSWD in favor of the 
beneficiary addressed to service providers to guarantee payment of the service on 
behalf of the beneficiary. The service providers may include hospitals, funeral 
homes, and such other providers that are willing to accept the GLs issued by the 
DSWD for payment of their services and/or goods for the beneficiary; 
 
M.​
Material Assistance Distribution Sheet (MDS) refers to the form used by the 
DSWD to list or record all clients who will receive material assistance as provided 
in this Act; 
 
N.​
Outright Cash refers to the actual monetary aid provided to the beneficiary; 
 
O.​
Registered Social Worker is a qualified professional in public or private practice, 
with a license to practice social work, recognized and designated by the DSWD or 
the LSWDO. Their role encompasses an understanding of the client’s needs, 
assessing and employing appropriate interventions aligned to each individual’s 
circumstances, all within the framework of the approved guidelines and 
professional standards; 
 
P.​
Repeat or Recurring Clients are those who seek assistance for at least three to 
four times in a quarter or at least more than twice in a semester and once in a 


quarter, or those who visit the Crisis Intervention Unit/Sections (CIU/S) Office or 
SWAD Satellite Office regularly or seasonally due to lack of knowledge on possible 
types of assistance; 
 
Q.​
Social Case Study Report (SCSR) refers to the document prepared by a 
professional social worker in public and private practice that describes in detail the 
situation and conditions of the beneficiary, including his/her social history. The 
document 
likewise 
includes 
assessment, 
plan 
for 
intervention 
and 
recommendation; and 
 
R.​
Service Provider refers to hospitals, funeral homes, and other institutions and 
enterprises, such as but not limited to diagnostic laboratories, clinics, and 
drugstores, among others, which are willing to accept the GLs issued by the 
DSWD for payment of their services and/or goods provided to the beneficiary. 
 
SEC. 5. LEAD AGENCY AND COORDINATION WITH RELATED GOVERNMENT 
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
 
The DSWD shall be the lead agency in the implementation of the AICS Program and 
shall be responsible for the administration, sourcing, assessment, and approval of all 
applications availing of the appropriated funds for the implementation of the Program. 
 
SEC. 6. MODES OF IMPLEMENTATION AND DELIVERY OF THE AICS PROGRAM. 
 
The services under the AICS Program may take the following forms: 
 
A.​
Financial Assistance 
  
1.​
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/post-partum 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. 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 medicines or treatment of the patient is not available 
at the hospital of confinement in supplement to PhilHealth benefits. Other 
health-care expenses such as immunization, normal birthing (except for birth 
delivery with complications or victims of rape), admission to rehabilitation 
centers due to drug abuse, cosmetic surgery, purchase of vitamins and other 
supplements, eyeglasses, and dental problems which are not directly related 
to medical treatment or after-care shall not be covered. Reimbursement of 
payments will not be covered. 
 


2.​
Funeral Assistance – This assistance shall 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 and Moros. Funeral and related 
expenses due to a disaster, calamity, or critical events resulting in one or 
multiple casualties within the family may allow the surviving family member or 
immediate relative of the deceased to request outright cash assistance, 
subject to the assessment of the DSWD Social Worker, without the need of 
an SCSR. 
 
3.​
Transportation Assistance – The assistance for the purchase or payment of 
transport (air/sea/land) tickets and/or expenses for travels of the beneficiary 
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 or calamity that require 
immediate presence of the beneficiary. Outright cash may be considered for 
those traveling using multiple modes of transportation or when purchasing 
tickets and other expenses is not feasible. If the DSWD procures the ticket 
for the beneficiary, the expenses for food and other necessary travel 
expenses 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 a cadaver, outright cash may be 
provided given the assessment and recommendation of the Social Worker. 
 
4.​
Educational Assistance – A form of assistance given to learners-in-crisis to 
help defray school expenses and/or the 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, defined as a student in elementary, secondary, or tertiary level who is 
facing significant challenges or difficulties that impede academic performance 
and well-being. The assistance shall not cover graduate (masteral) and 
post-graduate (doctoral) studies, professional degrees such as Doctor of 
Medicine and Bachelor of Laws/Juris Doctor, or expenses for review for 
licensure or bar examinations. 
 
5.​
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. Financial assistance may be provided in the following modes: (1) 
Outright cash – for assistance amounting to ₱10,000.00 and below, claimable 
within the day, subject to fund availability; and (2) Guarantee Letter – for 


assistance above ₱10,000.00, especially medical and funeral assistance, 
unless another mode is justified by the DSWD Social Worker. 
 
B.​
Material Assistance – The provision of food and non-food items to beneficiaries 
who need immediate material support, which may include family food packs, other 
food items, hygiene and sleeping kits, and assistive devices or technologies, 
subject to availability of funds and procurement laws. This assistance may be 
given simultaneously or successively with financial assistance based on the 
assessment of the Social Worker. 
 
C.​
Psychosocial Support Assistance – A set of interventions, including Psychological 
First Aid and Social Work Counseling, provided by trained or professional 
psychosocial support workers to help meet the psychological, emotional, social, 
and spiritual needs of beneficiaries and their families. 
 
D.​
Referral Services – Assistance not available within the DSWD or other 
government agencies and institutions, including referrals to legal, psychological, 
psychiatric, and social case management services and admission to facilities as 
needed. The handling social worker shall prepare a Social Case Study Report and 
coordinate to ensure referrals are properly acted upon. 
 
The DSWD shall integrate and collaborate with other government agencies, LGUs, 
businesses and labor groups, and civil society groups in implementing similar or related 
programs and services for an efficient and effective whole-of-nation approach in the 
delivery of social safety nets. 
 
SEC. 7. PROGRAM BENEFICIARIES. 
 
All individuals and families determined to be in a “state of active crisis” or “crisis 
situation”, or needing financial or other social-service support that may complement 
assistance provided by LGUs, government agencies, or NGOs, as assessed by a 
DSWD Social Worker, may be assisted under this Act. 
 
SEC. 8. DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS. 
 
As a general rule, the beneficiary or authorized representative shall submit a copy of 
valid identification cards or alternative documents for identification. In cases where no 
valid ID is available, such as children not enrolled in schools, indigenous people, or 
disaster victims, a barangay certification or justification from the DSWD Social Welfare 
Officer shall suffice. An authorized representative shall present an authorization letter 
signed by the beneficiary and a photocopy of the beneficiary’s ID, except when the 
client is an immediate family member, the beneficiary is a minor, or the beneficiary lacks 
capacity to act due to specific conditions described in this Act. The DSWD may 
prescribe additional documentary requirements for each type of assistance. 
 
 


SEC. 9. IMPLEMENTING PROCEDURE 
 
The DSWD shall determine the procedure to be utilized in the implementation of the 
AICS Program. 
 
SEC. 10. RATE OF ASSISTANCE AND FREQUENCY OF AVAILMENT. 
 
Type 
Particulars 
Amount of 
Assistance 
Frequency of 
Availment 
 
 
Minimum 
Maximum 
 
Transportation 
Assistance 
Land/Sea/Air 
Travel 
Actual cost based on 
the ticket quotation 
and/or travel expenses 
General Rule (GR): 
Once for the purpose 
of going back to their 
place of origin for 
good. 
 
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 hospitalization 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 
1,000.00 
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 
Food Assistance 
Food subsidy for 
individuals or families 
2,000.00 
5,000.00 
GR: Once every 
semester 
XPN: Patients - once 
every admission 
Cash relief assistance 
Other needs 
2,000.00  
10,000.00 
Once every applicable 
incident (calamity) 
 
Provided that, this kind of assistance shall be validated by the CIU/CIS Head/SWAD 
Team Leader and approved by the authorized approving official or his/her alternate, as 
determined by the DSWD in the implementing rules and regulations. The schedule shall 
not be interpreted to limit the DSWD Social Worker from recommending a higher 
amount or the provision of a series of assistance that can be simultaneously or 
successively given, subject to assessment and justification of the client’s circumstances, 
especially those that may require time before recovery, which shall be validated by the 
CIU/CIS Head/SWAD Team Leader and approved by the proper authority as provided in 
the rules and regulations. The amount of assistance may be adjusted every two years, 
subject to DBM approval and advisory-council endorsement, taking into account the 
consumer price index and relevant economic indicators. 
 
SEC. 11. HANDLING OF REPEAT OR RECURRING CLIENTS.  
 
The Program Management Bureau shall establish a centralized database for repeat or 
recurring clients accessible to Field Offices to prevent multiple availments. These clients 
shall be under case management and may be endorsed to their LGU for further 
intervention. 
 
SEC. 12. COMPLIANCE MECHANISM. 
 
The DSWD shall establish mechanisms to ensure compliance with this Act and shall 
provide a list of prohibited activities such as cuts for commission, job sharing, ghost 
beneficiaries, duplicate beneficiaries, and padding of beneficiaries. Any violation shall 


result in reimbursement of the amount involved with legal interest, without prejudice to 
civil, criminal, or administrative action and COA regulations. 
 
SEC. 13. STAFFING COMPLEMENT.  
 
For effective implementation, the DSWD is authorized to create the required plantilla 
positions and staffing requirements at the Central Office, Field Offices, and Satellite 
Offices in coordination with the DBM and CSC. Priority hiring shall be given to qualified 
social workers. Budgetary requirements shall be included in the General Appropriations 
Act. 
 
SEC. 14. AUTHORITY TO RECEIVE AND ADMINISTER DONATIONS FOR AICS 
PROGRAM. 
 
The DSWD is authorized to receive donations from government and non-government 
organizations and to administer the same strictly and exclusively for AICS beneficiaries, 
subject to relevant rules and regulations. 
 
SEC. 15. MONITORING, REPORTING, AND EVALUATION OF THE AICS 
PROGRAM. 
 
The DSWD shall establish an AICS Database using the PhilSys number to facilitate 
accurate profiling, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. The DSWD shall submit to 
Congress and make public an annual Accomplishment Report and fund-utilization report 
detailing the mode of implementation, number of beneficiaries, donations, and 
expenditures. An impact evaluation shall be conducted at least every three years. 
 
SEC. 16. GRIEVANCE MECHANISMS. 
 
The DSWD shall establish grievance mechanisms for filing or reporting complaints or 
grievances arising from the implementation of the AICS Program and shall ensure 
access for all beneficiaries and stakeholders. 
 
SEC. 17. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS.  
 
Within ninety days from the effectivity of this Act, the DSWD shall issue the necessary 
rules and regulations for effective implementation. 
 
SEC. 18. APPROPRIATIONS.  
 
The appropriations necessary for the initial implementation of this Act shall be sourced 
from the current budget of the DSWD. Thereafter, amounts necessary for continued 
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act, taking into 
consideration an administration cost of not more than five percent, subject to periodic 
review and recommendation for increase when necessary. The DSWD shall issue 
guidelines on utilization and management of the administration cost. 


 
SEC. 19. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE.  
 
If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining 
provisions shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
SEC. 20. REPEALING CLAUSE.  
 
All laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC. 21. EFFECTIVITY.  
 
This Act shall take effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a 
newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,