Institutionalizing AICS program backed
AT a public hearing on Tuesday held by the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go criticized concerned authorities for alleged delays and inconsistencies in the distribution of aid through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
The hearing was intended to discuss proposed measures to institutionalize the AICS program as well as other bills focused on enhancing social welfare programs for the poor.
Go also filed Senate Bill No. 2638 that aims to institutionalize the program and ensure that it would be implemented without delay. According to Go, his bill makes it “unlawful for any individual, public officials or employee of the DSWD or any local government unit to cause a delay in the implementation of the delivery of AICS’ services or funds to the qualified beneficiaries.”
Go detailed the establishment of the AICS program in 2014, aimed at providing immediate support to Filipinos facing sudden hardships.
“Mandato naman ng DSWD na tulungan po ang in crisis at mga nangangailangan. Mandato ng DSWD na tumulong ng walang pili. Kaya nga po natin tinawag itong AICS – Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation,” he asserted.
Go also cited that aside from the assistance provided by the government for qualified beneficiaries, he has consistently made efforts in previous years to also extend personal support to the poor.
“Ako po’y kadalasan na tumutulong po sa ating mga mahihirap nating kababayan. Nagbibigay po ako ng aking counterpart mismo dito. Gusto ko talagang tulungan sila yung mga naging biktima ng sunog, lindol, putok ng bulkan, buhawi, at iba pang disaster,” he said.
Go then asked for updates on lists of qualified beneficiaries still awaiting assistance from DSWD and urged them to minimize the delays.
