DSWD eyes hybrid payouts for AICS cash aid

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 6 is considering a “hybrid payout” scheme for distributing financial assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.

Joselito Estember, DSWD-6 regional director, said talks are ongoing with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) to facilitate the hybrid distribution system through an accredited conduit.

For Panay Island, it is being proposed that LBP partner with financial services provider Western Union for the digital payout component.

Estember explained that a hybrid system would involve digital disbursement in most areas, while offsite payouts would still be conducted in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).

He cited existing DSWD programs like the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), which already use digital distribution for cash assistance.

Estember also said they are considering integrating the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) during AICS offsite payouts.

The SLP is a capacity-building initiative of the DSWD that provides vulnerable, poor, and marginalized households with access to sustainable income sources. It operates through two tracks: the Micro-Enterprise Development Track, which helps beneficiaries start and sustain small businesses, and the Employment Facilitation Track, which provides skills training and job placement assistance.

Estember said SLP-accredited sellers would be allowed to offer products at the payout venues.

“So, if our AICS beneficiaries already spent their financial aid by buying what they need, wala na may makuha pa sa ila,” he said.

Earlier, DSWD Assistant Secretary Paul Ledesma said he would recommend ending all offsite AICS payouts in Iloilo City following reports of widespread financial aid shaving.

He said the agency would initiate or adopt policy changes to ensure that AICS-related corruption does not recur.

Part of the recommendation includes conducting payouts at DSWD field offices.

DSWD-6 previously appealed to affected beneficiaries to report individuals involved in AICS aid shaving.

The agency confirmed receiving reports that some barangay officials allegedly took portions of the cash assistance distributed under the AICS program.

Residents of several barangays in Iloilo City—particularly in the Jaro and Arevalo districts—claimed their barangay officials were involved in the illegal deduction of their financial aid.

Some complainants said they were given PHP 10,000 but barangay officials took PHP 8,000 immediately after.

Others alleged they were forced to surrender PHP 9,000, leaving them with only PHP 1,000 from the total assistance.

The AICS program is one of the government’s key initiatives for providing immediate and temporary aid to individuals and families affected by crisis.

AICS is considered a stop-gap measure that offers financial, emotional, and psychosocial support to individuals or families experiencing unexpected life events. It helps meet basic needs such as food, transportation, medical expenses, education, and burial costs.