NINETEENTH  CONGRESS OF THE
REPUBLIC OF THE  PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.7at&`
Introduced  by Representative Ralph G.  Recto
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING   THE   ASSISTANCE   TO   INDIVIDUALS   IN   CRISIS
SITUATION  (AICS)  PROGRAM,  APPROPRIATING  FUNDS  THEREFOR,  AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY  NOTE
Even  with  the  positive  growth  trajectory  of  the  Philippine  economy,   many
Filipinos  are  still  one  crisis away from  living  in  poverty,  Chronic  poverty,  aggravated
by  escalating  prices  of  food  and  other  basic  commodities,  and  relatively  low  and
stagnant   wages,   among   others,   hinder   Filipino   households  from   developing   the
capacity  to  protect  themselves  from  financial  shocks  caused  by  job  displacement,
illness,  death,  and  other difficult situations.
In  the  most  recent  Family  Income  and  Expenditure  Survey,  Filipino  families
save,  on the average,  less than  a  quarter of their household  income annually - with
households  earning  less  than  P100,000  a  year  saving  no  more  than  5.1%  of  their
income.   Additionally,   almost   half   of   Filipino   adults   in   the   most   recent   Financial
Inclusion  Survey of the  Ga„gfo Se„frja/ ng P/.//P/'r7as - particularly those from classes
D and  E -revealed an apprehension that their savings will not last for the `rainy days'.
This  financial   vulnerability   of   Filipino   individuals  and   households   has   been  vividly
illustrated   by  the  onslaught  of  the  COVID-19   pandemic,   which   has  rendered   an
additional   2.3   million   Filipinos   poor   by   the   end   of   2021.      Hence,   the   need   for
government assistance when they experience extreme hardships and  helplessness in
times of crisis situations.


To  respond  to  such  financial  vulnerability,  this  bill  seeks to  institutionalize  the
Assistance  to  Individuals  in  Crisis  Situation  (AICS)  Program  as  a  critical  government
intervention  that  provides  financial,  material,  psychosocial  and  referral  support  and
services to  individuals and  households rendered vulnerable by life's challenges. Apart
from  the  provision  of  much  needed  assistance,  this  bill  likewise  seeks  to  relax  and
simplify    the    requirements    for    program    availment    particularly    in    exceptional
circumstances, ensure the equitable provision of government assistance to those who
are  in  need,  and  penalize  those  who  seek  to  exploit  the  Program  for  their  selfish
financial  gain.
Ultimately,    this   measure   seeks   to   contribute   to   the   realization   of   the
Constitutional  vision  for  the  country  -  one  where  a  just  and  dynamic  social  order
ensures the prosperity and independence of the nation, and where the freedom of the
people from  poverty  is safeguarded  by policies that provide adequate social services
and  promote full  employment,  a  rising  standard  of living,  and  an  improved  quality of
life for  all.
In  light of the foregoing,  the approval of this bill  is earnestly sought.
/mdg
2


NINETEENTH  CONGRESS  OF THE
REPUBLIC OF THE  PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B.No.   7946
Introduced  by Representative  Ralph G.  Recto
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING   THE   ASSISTANCE   TO   INDIVIDUALS   IN   CRISIS
SITUATION  (AICS)  PROGRAM,  APPROPRIATING  FUNDS  THEREFOR,  AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines .in
Congress assembled:
I                      Section 1, Short 77.I/e. -This Act shall be known as the ``Assistance to Individuals
2       in  crisis situation  (AICS)  Program Act''.
3                    Sec.  2.  Oec/araf7.ar of po//.ay,  -It  is  hereby  declared  a  policy  of the State to
4       promote   a   just   and   dynamic   social   order   that   will   ensure   the   prosperity   and
5       independence  of the  nation  and  free  the  people  from  poverty through  policies  that
6       provide adequate social services,  promote full employment, a rising standard of living,
7       and an improved quality oflifefor all. Towardsthis end, and in cognizance of the need
8       to  provide  additional  safety  nets  to  assist  Filipinos  in  crisis  situations,  the  State shall
9       provide financial,  material,  psychosocial  and  referral support and services to qualified
10       individuals and  households and ensure the swift and efficient delivery of such support
I I        and  services to  qualified  beneficiaries.
12                     Sec.  3.  Oer7.n/.f7.ow o/Terms.   -For the purposes of this Act:
13                    (a)   Assistance to  Individuals  in  crisis situation  program or the  program s;heitl}
]4       refer to the government social  protection  program  institutionalized  under this Act;
15                    (b)  Ass/5f/.Me oev/.ces and rechno/ogyshall  refer to systems and services that
16       provide,  maintain or improve functional capabilities of people of older age, those with
]7       disabilities   or   mental   health   conditions,   those   suffering   from   illnesses,   or  those
Page 1 of 8


1        experiencing  gradual   physical  and/or  cognitive  decline,  which  enable  them  to  live
2       healthy,  independent,  productive and  dignified  lives;
3                    (c)   Case sc/mmaryshall  refer to  a  document to  be  prepared  by a  registered
4       social  worker  of  the  Department  of  Social  Welfare  and  Development  (DSWD)  that
5       details the assessment of the social worker on the socioeconomic situation of the client,
6       and   the   recommendation   whether   or   not  the   client  is   qualified   for  government
7       assistance;
8                      (d)   cry.enf shall  refer  to  an  individual  or  household,  or  their  duly  authorized
9       representative,  seeking government assistance through the program;
I 0                    (e)   fi7ucaf/.ona/ A55/5fance shall  refer to  assistance  provided  to  a  student  in
I I        crisis  to  cover  school-related  expenses,   including,  but  not  limited  to:   school  fees,
]2       school supplies,  school-related  projects and  activities,  and  living allowances;
I 3                    (f)   funer3/Ass/5fanc€ shall refer to assistance to cover expenses incurred for
]4       transportation,  interment or cremation  of the remains of the deceased,  including the
]5        provision  of burial  sites;
I 6                    (g)   Wafer/a/A55/5fance shall refer to assistance provided in the form of physical
]7       goods orcommodities otherthan cash;
I 8                     (h)   Wec77'ca/Ass/5fanceshall refer to assistance to cover expenses incurred from
]9       hospitalization,  medicines,  doctor's  consultation,  medical  treatment  and  procedures,
20       and  provision of assistive devices;
2 I                     (i)    Ps/oho/ogi.ca/ F/.rsfA/.dshall  refer to  interventions carried  out immediately
22       following  a  traumatic  incident to  help  individuals  it rendered  vulnerable to  cope with
23       the stress and facilitate their return to  normal social functioning;
24                    0.)    Ps/chasocy.a/  S4/pporf  shall   refer  to   assistance   provided   to   meet  the
25        psychological,  emotional,  social,  or spiritual  needs,  including  interventions to  improve
26       the capacity of individuals to cope with the adverse psychosocial  impact of calamities,
27       illnesses,    deaths,    loss   of   employment   or   livelihood,    and   other   similar   difficult
28       circumstances;
29                    (k)   Aere#a/ Sert//.ces shall  refer  to the  endorsement of clients,  whose  needs
3o       are  not  offered  under  the  Program,  to  other  offices  under  the  DSWD  or  to  other
31        government agencies and  instrumentalities;
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1                     (I)    5cjbs/5fence  A55I±fance  shall   refer  to  assistance  to  cover  the  expenses
2       related  to  the  provision  of  food  and  other  basic  non-food  needs  of  individuals  or
3        households;  and
4                    (in)  77anfporfaf/.on A55x5fancie shall refer to assistance to cover the cost of air,
5       sea and land transportation, including the provision for food and other necessarytravel
6       expenses, for purposes that include, but are not limited to:  returning to home province
7       on  a  permanent  basis,  seeking  medical  attention,  attending  to  emergency  concerns
8       such  as   illness  or  death  of  an   immediate  family  member;   rescuing  maltreated  or
9       abused  family  member,  and  other analogous circumstances that require the  physical
]0       presenceoftheclient.
11                     Sec.  4,  Assistance  to  Individuals  in  Crisis  Situation  (AICS)  Program,  -The
]2       Assistance to Individuals in crisis situation  (AICS) Program,  hereinafter referred to as
]3       the program,  is hereby institutionalized as a government program to assist individuals
]4       and  households  in  a  state  of  active  crisis  brought  about  by  loss  of  employment  or
15        livelihood,  calamities,  illnesses,  deaths,  and  other difficult circumstances.
]6                    Sec.  5,  6//fy/b/e  Gene//.c/a//.es.  -The  Program  shall  be  intended  for  qualified
]7       individuals   and   households,   whether   indigent  or   not,   determined   to   be   in   crisis
]8       situation and  in need of support from the government,  based on the assessment and
]9       recommendation  as  contained  in  a  case  summary  prepared  by the  registered  social
20       workersofthe DSWD,
21                    Sec.  6.   7)¢es and Forms ofA5sisfance.  -The  following  assistance  shall  be
22       extended   to   qualified   individuals  and   households,   based   on  the  assessment  and
23       recommendation  contained  in a  case summary prepared for the client concerned:
24                     (a)  Financial  assistance  in  the form  of outright cash,  check,  vouchers,  tickets,
25       guarantee   letters   and   other   similar   devices   to   be   issued   in   favor   of   qualified
26       beneficiaries  of  medical,  funeral,  transportation,  educational,  subsistence  and  cash
27       assistance:   PrioL+t.dec7,  That  the  DSWD  may  adopt  mechanisms  to  ensure  swift  and
28       efficient    grant   of   financial    assistance    by    requesting    the    services    of   national
29       government agencies or  local  government units (LGUs),   or by engaging the services
3o       of  authorized  government  depository  banks,  rural  banks,  thrift  banks,  cooperative
31        banks,   and   institutions   engaged   in   money   remittances   duly   registered   with   and
32      nc;enseddy the  Bangko sentral ng  pi/ipinas.,
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1                      (b)  Material  assistance  in  the  form  of  food  packs,  ready-to-eat  meals,  food
2       stubs or vouchers,  hygiene kits,  sleeping  kits,  assistive devices and technologies,  and
3       other similar implements:  ProLw.dad, That the procurement of goods and commodities
4       shall   be   in   accordance   with   Republic   Act   No.   9184,   otherwise   known   as   the
5       "Government procurement Reform Act'';
6                      (c)   Psychosocial  support  in  the  form  of  psychological  first  aid,   social  work
7       counseling,  and other necessary psychological and emotional interventions:  PyioM+.dec/,
8       That  the  provision  of  psychosocial  support  shall  be  in  accordance  with  Republic  Act
9       No.11036,  otherwise  known  as the ``Mental  Health Act'';
]o                     (d)  Referral  services  in  the  form  of coordination  or endorsement  of clients to
1 ]        other government agencies  that  provide  other services  including,  but  not  limited  to:
]2       legal,  psychiatric,  protective,  treatment and  rehabilitative services;  and
]3                    (e) Other forms of assistance as may be deemed necessary by the DSWD,
]4                     Sec,   7.   £eac/ Agency.     -The   DSWD  shall   serve  as  the  central   planning,
15       coordinating,     implementing     and     monitoring     body    of    the     Program.     In    the
]6       implementation of this Act, the  DSWD shall  perform the following functions:
]7                     (a)   Identify  reasonable  requirements  and  conditions  for  availing  assistance
]8       underthe  program;
]9                     (b)   Select  and   use   an   appropriate,   effective  and   cost-efficient  method  to
20       evaluate clients;
2]                      (c)   Determine    the    appropriate    assistance    to    be    provided    to    qualified
22       beneficiaries and the  rate and frequency by which such assistance may be availed;
23                      (d)   Coordinate with different national and local government agencies, and non-
24       government organizations to ensure cost-effective and harmonized implementation of
25       the assistance provided  herein;
26                      (e)   Establish and  maintain a system for real-time data and information sharing
27       with   LGUs  and   other  national  government  agencies  providing  similar  and   related
28       services;
29                      (f)    Formulate   mechanisms  to   prevent  fraudulent  activities  and  claims  and
30       ensure equitable  provision of the assistance and services provided  under this Act;
3]                      (g)   Submit an annual report to the president and congress on all aspects of its
32       operations,  financial  status and  other relevant data;
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I                      (h)   Promulgate the  implementing  rules and  guidelines for the enforcement of
2       thisAct;and
3                     (i)    Perform  such  other  functions  as  may  be  necessary  or  incidental  to  the
4       proper implementation of the  provisions of this Act.
S                     See. 8.  Simplificat.Ion  of procedures  and  Requirements for Ava.I/ing  Assistance
6       unc7erd4e pnogram, -The documentary and other requirements for availing assistance
7       under the  Program  shall  be  simple,  easy to  understand,  and  written  in  both  English,
8       and  Filipino  or the  vernacular.  The  number of requirements and  procedures shall  be
9       reduced  to  a  bare  minimum,  and  the duplication  of data  and  information  in  different
]o       forms shall  be avoided. To expedite the  process for availing the assistance under the
1 I        Program,  the  DSWD shall  maintain  a  computerized  database  of client  information  in
12       accordance  with  the  provisions  of  Republic  Act  No.10173,  otherwise  known  as  the
]3       ``Data  privacyActof2012''.
14                   Sec, 9,  Re/axation of Requirements  in  Exceptional  cases. -The rquulrenerlts
]5       for   the   availment   of   benefits   as   determined    by   the   DSWD   may,    upon   the
16       recommendation  of the social worker concerned,  be  relaxed  and further simplified  in
]7       cases  involving  members  of  Indigenous  Cultural  Communities/Indigenous  Peoples,
]8       and   survivors  of  criminal   activities,   natural   and   man-made  calamities,   and   other
19       exceptional  circumstances where the  requirements for availing   assistance under this
20       Program  could  not  be  reasonably  produced:  Pyiov]/.dec/,  That  the justification  for the
21        relaxation and simplification of requirements shall be included in the case summary of
22       the client concerned,
23                      Sec  10.  Ac/v/±ory Cour7ct'/.  -An  AICS  Advisory  Council  shall  be  created  at the
24       national  and  regional  levels  to  be  headed  by the  DSWD,  The  national  and  regional
25       advisory  councils  shall  have,  as  members,  representatives  from  the  Department  of
26       Health  (DOH),   Department  of  Education  (DepEd),  Department  of Agriculture  (DA),
27       Department  of  Labor  and  Employment  (DOLE),  Department  of Trade  and  Industry
28       (DTI),  Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR),  Department of science and Technology
29        (DOST),  Commission  on  Higher  Education  (ChED)  and Technical  Education  and  skills
3o        Development Authority (TESDA). The national and regional advisory councils shall also
31        have,      as     additional      members,      two     (2)     representatives     from     accredited
32       nongovernmental organizations working or monitoring social welfare service programs.
Page 5 of 8


]                      The Advisory councils shall  have the following functions:
2                     (a)   Meet  regularly  to  promote  coordination  across  agencies  to  enhance  the
3       implementation    of    the    Program    and    jointly    address    and    resolve    program
4       implementation  issues;
5                     (b)   Recommend  to  the  President  measures  and  policies  for  the  responsive
6       delivery of the commitments under this Act and  integration with the general  poverty
7       reduction and social  protection strategy of government;
8                     (c)   Determine the funding  requirements for the  program  and  recommend  its
9       inclusion  in the annual government appropriations;
]o                     (d)   Promulgate   a   grievance   redress   system   and   accept   complaints   and
I I        grievances pertaining to the implementation of the program;  and
12                     (e)   Review   the   monitoring   and   assessment   reports   of   the   Independent
]3       Monitoring committee and submit necessary policy recommendations to the president
14       and congress in orderto improve and strengthen the program,  if necessary,
I 5                    Sec.11,  /nc/apenc/e„f Won/for/ng  Comm/.free.  -An  Independent  Monitoring
]6       Committee   shall   be   created   at   the   national   and   regional   levels,   composed   of
]7       representatives   from   the   private   sector,   including   civil   society   organizations,   to
18       complement   the   monitoring   activities   of   the   DSWD   and   provide   feedback   for
]9       appropriate  action.  It shall  submit  a  report on  the  results  of its  monitoring  activities
20       relative to the  implementation of the  program to the respective national and  regional
2]        advisorycouncils.
22                   Sec,12.  Co„Meripe„ce ofpy7ograms ant/ Seri//.ces. -Within the framework of a
23       national    poverty   alleviation   strategy   and   a    holistic   social    protection    program,
24       government agencies implementing  multi-stakeholder social  protection  programs and
25       services shall guarantee that the same complement and converge seamlessly with the
26       aim of ensuring that the appropriate type and level of assistance is extended to target
27       beneficiaries.   Such   convergence   shall   focus   on   the   enhancement  of  operational
28       efficiency  and  strengthening  of  inter-agency  partnership  in  ensuring  the  equitable
29       provision   of   government   assistance   and   mitigating   the   duplication,   overlap   or
30       redundancy in the delivery of government services, The government shall monitor the
31        performance  of these agencies to  ensure the sustainability  and  positive  impact of its
32       social  protection  programs.
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1                     Sec.13,  Aaporfor/a/ Aequt.remenf5,  -The  DSWD  shall,  on  an  annual  basis,
2       monitor  the  implementation  of  the  Program  and  shall  submit  to  the  President  and
3       Congress an annual report thereof. The report shall include,  but not be limited to, the
4       financial   disclosures   on   the   Program;    information   about   beneficiaries   based   on
5       geographical      area,      and      socioeconomic     and      cultural      circumstances;      and
6       recommendations  to  further  enhance   program   implementation,   Such   report  shall
7       likewise be  published  in the official website of the  DSWD.
8                    Sec.14.  Onj7an/2af/`o„a/ Comp/emenf,  -The  DSWD  may,  if necessary,  modify
9       its  existing  organizational  structure  and  staffing  pattern  to  effectively  implement the
]0       provisions  of  this  Act,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Department  of  Budget  and
]]         Management(DBM).
12                     Section  15.  Pena/r7.es.  -Any  person,  whether or  not acting  in  conspiracy with
13       public  officials  or  employees,  who,  by  act  or  omission,  provides  false  or  misleading
]4       documents,   information  or  statements  with  the  intent  of  defrauding  or  aiding  to
]5       defraud  the  government,  shall  be  penalized  with  imprisonment of not less than  one
]6       (1) month butnotmorethan one (1) year, afineofnot lessthanTenthousand pesos
]7       (Plo,000.00) but not more than one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000,00) or both,
I 8       at the discretion of the court,
]9                      A  public  official  or  employee  who  commits  any  of the  following  acts  shall  be
2o       penalized  with  imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more than five (5)
2]       years,  a  fine  of not  less than  Fifty thousand  pesos  (P50,000.00)  but  not  more  than
22       Two hundred thousand  pesos (P200,000,00), or both,  at the discretion of the court:
23                      (a) Unduly interfering  in the  implementation  of the  program,  including,  but not
24       limited to,  the selection  of beneficiaries,  preparation of case summaries,  and delivery
25       of assistance to qualified  recipients;
26                      (b)Encouraging,   assisting,   or   coercing   individuals   or   households   to   seek
27       assistance  in  exchange  for  money or a  portion  of the  benefits that may  be  received
28       underthe  program;
29                     (c) Fabricating  false  documents,  information,  statements  or  case  summaries
30       with  the  intent of soliciting  assistance  for  unqualified  clients,  or defrauding  or  aiding
3]       to defraud the government;  and
Page 7 of 8


I                      (d)Committing  other  similar  acts  or  omissions  as  may  be  identified  by  the
2        DSWD.
3                      The   erring   public   official   or   employee,   in   addition   to  the   aforehlentioned
4       penalties,  shall  be  temporarily disqualified  from  holding  public office:  Prow.dec/,  That
5       the  penalties  imposed  under this  Act  shall  be  without  prejudice to  administrative  or
6       criminal  sanctions that may be imposed  by government agencies concerned.
7                    Sec.16, Appropr/.af/.ans. -The amount necessary for the implementation of this
8       Act    shall    be    charged    against    the    applicable    appropriations    in    the    General
9       Appropriations Act for the current fiscal year, Thereafter, such sums necessary for the
]o       continued  implementation  of  this  Program  shall  be  included  in  the  annual  General
11        Appropriations Act.
12                    See.  T] ,  Implementing  Ru/es and  Regulations. -W.rNhiin rinf:rty (9rJ) delrys Elrfuer
13       the  approval  of  this  Act,  the  DSWD  shall,  in  coordination  with  the  DBM  and  other
]4       agencies  concerned,   issue  the   necessary   rules  and   regulations  for  the  effective
15        implementation of this Act,
]6                    Sec.   18.   Sepan34/.//fy  Cya4/5e,   -Should   any  provision   of  this  Act  be  found
]7       unconstitutional by a court of law, such  provision shall be severed from the remainder
]8       of  this  Act,   and   such   action   shall   not   affect  the  enforceability  of  the   remaining
]9       provisionsof thisAct.
20                    Sec.19.  Aepea//.ng c/a4/5e, -All laws, decrees, letters of instruction, resolutions,
21        orders or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
22       repealed,  modified or amended accordingly.
23                    Sec,  20,  fiffecty`i/fy c/a4/se. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
24       publication in the  offic/a/Gazeffeor in any national newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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