There is no political intrusion in the provision of the social protection programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), an agency official assured reporters during the Saturday News Forum at the Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City on June 28.
Director Edwin Morata of the DSWD’s Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) said the agency has policies in place to ensure that programs such as the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) are protected from being taken advantage by any political party or individual.
“It’s very clear as part of the policy (of AKAP) that no one can use the program for their political advantage. Even the presence of those political individuals during our pay-outs (are being discouraged),” Director Morata said in response to allegations that the agency’s programs were “weaponized” during the 2025 midterm polls.
For the AKAP implementation, the CIU chief said the DSWD has issued Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2025-01 with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA, now called the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development) to maintain the integrity of the AKAP as a targeted social assistance program for below minimum wage workers.
Director Morata emphasized that the DSWD accommodates all people in crisis, whether they have referrals or none.
“For AICS, wala kaming tinitignan it can be low or high income. It can be rich or poor. It can be professional or not, may trabaho o wala,” the CIU head told reporters at the forum.
Under the AICS program, the Department can provide burial, medical, food, transportation assistance, and help in hospital bills payment through the issuance of guarantee letters (GL).
The program also offers psychosocial interventions such as psychological first aid, and counseling, among others.
The AKAP, on the other hand, provides financial assistance to individuals earning below the minimum wage since they are the most affected by inflation and economic hardship.
“Both assistance are based on the assessment of DSWD’s social workers,” the CIU chief said. (AKDL)