By Jerome Carlo Paunan
MANILA (PIA) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will operate with a significantly expanded P264.45 billion budget in 2026, a 22.5% increase from the previous year, with Secretary Rex Gatchalian vowing to strictly enforce a “no-politician” rule during aid distributions.
Speaking at a Palace press briefing with Usec. Claire Castro, Sec. Gatchalian emphasized that the P48.6 billion funding hike is “people-centered,” targeting the expansion of feeding programs, senior citizen pensions, and disaster response capabilities.
The 2026 allocation reinforces the Marcos Jr. administration’s primary social safety nets.
The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) receives P113 billion, while P51.8 billion has been earmarked for the social pension of indigent senior citizens.
“The P2 billion increase in senior pensions allows us to accommodate an additional 500,000 waitlisted senior citizens,” Gatchalian said.
Additionally, the Protective Services for Individuals and Families in Difficult Circumstances (AICS), often the first line of defense for Filipinos in crisis, saw its budget climb to P63.9 billion, a P19.1 billion jump from 2025.
A key focus of the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) is the explicit prohibition of political “Anti-Epal” or “credit-grabbing” during the distribution of cash assistance.
Gatchalian addressed the “Anti-Epal” provision, stating that social workers serve as the primary line of defense against political interference.
“Our social workers are professionals. They will not allow themselves to be used for the political gains of anybody,” Gatchalian said.
“If a politician gate-crashes a payout, we have the option to stop the proceedings. We will not appear where politicians are present,” he added.
The Secretary clarified that while referrals for aid are accepted from any source, including NGOs and public officials, the final determination of eligibility and the amount of aid remains solely with DSWD social workers based on a professional “case intake” process.
The 2026 budget introduces several pilot programs designed to address evolving social needs, including:
Project AUGA or the holistic financial assistance for parents of children with disabilities.
Project SAFE or an advocacy campaign to protect children and women from online exploitation and abuse.
ProtectTeen or a community integration program for teenage mothers.
Cost-of-Care Model, or this is a shift where the DSWD will pay licensed private NGOs to handle care facilities for abused individuals, rather than building new state-run structures.
Moreover, with a P3 billion Quick Response Fund, the DSWD is doubling down on disaster readiness.
Gatchalian announced the initial P500 million allocation for the Mindanao Disaster Resource Center in Butuan City.
The P1.5 billion multi-year project aims to complete the President’s vision of having specialized repacking centers in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao for faster response.
The DSWD is also launching the construction of five regional “Bahay Pag-asa” centers for juvenile delinquents with an initial P275 million fund, shifting the burden of restorative justice from cash-strapped local government units to the national government. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
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