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Around 7 million beneficiaries may lose cash aid amid DSWD 2026 budget cut
Around seven million individuals may not receive social welfare benefits due to budget cuts in the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program and the zero allocation for the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) in the proposed 2026 budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian expressed alarm over the reduction, which amounts to nearly P50 billion in protective services compared to the previous year, and urged for a reconsideration of the budget decision.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman cited that AKAP still has remaining funds for the current year and that the fiscal space for the next year is limited.
The projected service gap for AICS in 2026 is estimated at 2.978 million individuals, while AKAP is expected to leave 4.068 million individuals unserved.
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