The Marcos administration is seeking a 23-percent increase in funding for the government’s emergency assistance program, proposing P33.285 billion in 2027 to help an estimated 4.6 million Filipinos facing crises and other difficult circumstances.
The proposed allocation for the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), which falls under the Protective Services for Individuals and Families in Difficult Circumstances, is P6.256 billion higher than the P27.028 billion proposed for the program in its 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP).
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted the increased funding in his Budget Message for fiscal year 2027, citing social protection as a key government priority.
“We also continue to strengthen social protection programs to ensure that vulnerable Filipinos receive timely and meaningful government assistance,” Marcos said.
He said the proposed P33.3-billion allocation would help provide assistance to 4.6 million vulnerable Filipinos, describing the investment as part of the government’s effort to ensure that economic growth benefits those most in need.
“These investments ensure that no Filipino is left behind as our economy continues to grow,” the President said.
The Department of Budget and Management clarified that the 23.15-percent increase refers specifically to the proposed AICS funding in the 2026 and 2027 NEPs.
The comparison is different from the P63.895 billion appropriated for the broader Protective Services for Individuals and Families in Difficult Circumstances program under the 2026 General Appropriations Act. That amount represents the final budget enacted after Congress reviewed and adjusted the Executive’s original proposal of P27.028 billion.
The proposed P33.285 billion for 2027 will likewise undergo congressional scrutiny before the budget is finalized.
AICS provides short-term financial and other forms of assistance to individuals and families dealing with emergencies and unexpected hardships. Support may cover medical expenses, burial costs, food, transportation, loss of income and other urgent needs.
The proposed AICS funding is part of the P241.6 billion earmarked for the Department of Social Welfare and Development under the 2027 NEP. The allocation is intended to support the delivery of social protection programs and services across the country.
Overall, social services account for P2.456 trillion—or the largest sectoral allocation—in the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027. The sector covers education, health, social protection, employment, housing and other programs aimed at supporting Filipino families.