After being abused in past election years, it’s high time the ayuda programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development be freed from the malpractices of politicians starting in 2026, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Monday.
Lacson stressed that DSWD personnel should be allowed to implement ayuda programs without politicians’ interference so such programs will not be turned into a matter of patronage politics.
In his interpellation of the DSWD’s 2026 budget, Lacson also commended the Senate finance committee and subcommittee for bringing down to zero the budget for Strengthening Assistance for Social Programs, which would have gotten funding from unprogrammed appropriations.
“We must fix the DSWD’s budget. I’m all for helping the needy but this should be data-driven and there should be a clear program. It should not be whimsical, arbitrary and politically motivated,” he said in a mix of Filipino and English, in his interpellation of the DSWD’s 2026 budget.
“I talked to Senate finance committee chairman Sherwin Gatchalian and we agreed it’s about time we streamline the DSWD’s budget because it is being abused,” he added.
In Filipino: Lacson: Itigil ang Political Abuse sa Ayuda Programs ng DSWD
Under the Senate version of the budget bill, the DSWD had a budget of P221.357 billion under the National Expenditure Program (NEP). This went up to P39.940 billion in the House version of the budget bill, and was brought down to P230.016 billion in the Senate version.
The Senate brought down the budgets of ayuda programs, including:
* Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), at P27.036 billion in the NEP, ballooned to P59.091 billion in the House version, but was brought down to P27.028 billion in the Senate version.
* Strengthening Assistance for Social Programs, which would have gotten P80.8 billion from the unprogrammed appropriations in the NEP, was brought down to P45 billion in the House version – and zero in the Senate version.
‘Remedying Malpractices’
Lacson noted significant increases in AICS allotments during election years, specifically in 2022 and 2025. Funding rose by 68.8 percent—from P23.56 billion in 2021 to P39.76 billion in 2022.
Similarly, from 2024 to 2025, the budget grew by approximately 30 percent, increasing from P34.27 billion to P44.44 billion.
“The pattern I’m trying to show is that the AICS’ budget balloons during election years,” he said.
Also, Lacson questioned the holding of large gatherings for the distribution of aid, with legislators in attendance – thus turning a DSWD program into a political event that reinforces patronage politics.
In some cases, he said the DSWD is being pressured to produce a big turnout in such gatherings during election years.
“My point is, it’s time we put a stop to this practice and allow DSWD to do their own thing,” he said.
Lacson likewise cited an incident in Iloilo City where residents reported that most of their P10,000 DSWD cash aid was taken by individuals linked to barangay and city hall personnel after a payout.
In some cases, he said residents had no choice but to agree because they might be excluded in the next distribution.
“I’m not trying to lecture here but these are all relevant information we are sharing with the body so we can correct and remedy these malpractices,” Lacson said.
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Lacson: Itigil ang Political Abuse sa Ayuda Programs ng DSWD
Matapos maabuso noong mga nagdaang “election years,” panahon na para palayain ang mga ayuda program ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) mula sa maling paggamit nito ng mga pulitiko simula 2026, giit ni Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Lunes.
Iginiit ni Lacson na dapat hayaang ipatupad ng mga personnel ng DSWD ang mga ayuda program nang walang panghihimasok ng mga pulitiko upang hindi ito magamit para sa patronage politics.
Sa kanyang interpellation sa 2026 budget ng DSWD, pinuri rin ni Lacson ang Senate finance committee at subcommittee sa pagbaba sa zero ng pondo para sa Strengthening Assistance for Social Programs, na sana ay manggagaling sa unprogrammed appropriations.
“Dapat ayusin natin ang budget. I’m all for ayudas but dapat data-driven at may programa. Hindi whimsical, arbitrary and politically motivated,” ani Lacson.
“Nag-usap kami ni Sen. Gatchalian and we are in agreement it’s about time i-streamline natin. Kasi this is being abused,” dagdag niya.
Sa Senate version ng budget bill, ang DSWD ay may P221.357 bilyong pondo sa National Expenditure Program (NEP). Tumaas ito sa P239.940 bilyon sa House version, ngunit ibinaba ng Senado sa P230.016 bilyon.
Ibinaba rin ng Senado ang pondo ng ilang ayuda programs, kabilang ang:
* Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) – mula P27.036 bilyon sa NEP, umakyat sa P59.091 bilyon sa House version, pero ibinaba sa P27.028 bilyon sa Senate version.
* Strengthening Assistance for Social Programs – mula P80.8 bilyon sa NEP (unprogrammed), ibinaba sa P45 bilyon sa House version – at zero sa Senate version.
‘Pagtama sa Malpractices’
Binigyang-diin ni Lacson ang malalaking pagtaas ng AICS allotment tuwing election years, partikular noong 2022 at 2025. Tumaas ng 68.8 porsyento ang pondo—mula P23.56 bilyon noong 2021 tungo sa P39.76 bilyon noong 2022.
Gayundin, mula 2024 hanggang 2025, tumaas ang pondo ng humigit-kumulang 30 porsyento—mula P34.27 bilyon tungong P44.44 bilyon.
“The pattern I’m trying to show, pag election year lumolobo ang AICS,” aniya.
Kinuwestiyon din ni Lacson ang pagdaraos ng malalaking pagtitipon para sa distribusyon ng ayuda kung saan nandoon ang mga mambabatas—na nagiging political event at nagpapalakas ng patronage politics.
Sa ilang pagkakataon, aniya, pinipilit pa umano ang DSWD na magpakita ng malaking turnout sa ganitong mga pagtitipon tuwing election season.
“My point is, it’s time we put a stop to this practice and allow DSWD to do their own thing,” aniya.
Binanggit din ni Lacson ang insidente sa Iloilo City kung saan iniulat ng mga residente na karamihan ng kanilang P10,000 DSWD cash aid ay kinuha ng mga indibidwal na konektado sa personnel ng barangay at city hall matapos ang payout.
Sa ilan pang kaso, wala raw magawa ang mga residente dahil baka hindi sila maisama sa susunod na distribusyon.
“I’m not trying to lecture here but these are all relevant information we are sharing with the body para ma-correct natin at maremedyuhan natin ang malpractices,” ani Lacson.
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