Philippine Senate panel wants aid distribution without political interference

The Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development has expressed its commitment to institutionalizing accessible government aid distribution without political interference.

Chaired by Senator Erwin Tulfo, he made the commitment during a recent panel hearing on his bill to institutionalize the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“What we will do is limit the requirements to two. We will ensure that unnecessary requirements, such as barangay indigency forms and marriage contracts, are removed. If you need medical assistance, for example, you will only need to provide a valid ID and a hospital bill,” the Chairman said.

According to Tulfo, making government aid more accessible prevents politicians from intervening in the distribution process.

“Truthfully, this is where politics comes in. When a Filipino needs aid, they often have no choice but to ask for an indigency form plastered with the faces and names of barangay officials. This is currently a requirement; otherwise, they have no chance of getting help,” the neophyte senator said.

Currently, to access aid, Filipinos must secure a valid ID, a Certificate of Indigency, a Barangay Clearance, a notarized affidavit, a Social Case Study Report, and, in some cases, a marriage certificate.

The DSWD noted that if the AICS bill becomes law, the agency plans to elevate the program into a bureau to improve staffing patterns and implementation.

Tulfo then instructed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to hasten the dissemination of information clarifying that politicians cannot intervene in aid distribution.

“The 2026 General Appropriations Act clearly states that the presence of politicians in aid distribution is not allowed. Act on it quickly because elections are approaching, and our fellow citizens fear aid will be used for politicking again,” the Senator remarked.

The DILG heeded Tulfo’s call by issuing Memorandum Circular No. 2026-066, ordering that no names or photos of public officials appear on any government-funded projects.

Tulfo has long advocated for a renewed "anti-epal" drive to stop politicians from claiming government aid as their own personal projects. 

-Paraluman News