The House of Representatives on Wednesday evening unanimously approved on third and final reading a bill institutionalizing the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) as a permanent program.
All 176 lawmakers present voted to pass House Bill 11395, or the proposed Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations Act, with no abstentions or “no” votes.
AICS is a social welfare service that provides medical assistance, burial, transportation, education, food, or financial assistance for other support services or needs of a person or family.
If the said bill is passed into law, AICS would receive regular annual allocations in the national budget.
“To effectively respond to the individuals in crisis situation, each qualified target beneficiary shall receive financial, medical, transportation, food, material assistance, and other assistance, to include disability support services including other professional assistance available in the DSWD, such as psychosocial support or intervention for dysfunctional families and their children who need trauma care and management, and legal consultation, based on the assessment of the social workers of the DSWD,” the bill read.
Meanwhile, Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, who voted “yes” with reservations, said making AICS permanent should not be misused by public officials for self-promotion.
“This representation is concerned with the actual implementation and facilitation of this program… we are particularly worried about those who are in the position to provide assistance, but take it as an opportunity to forward their personal and political interests,” Brosas said.
