Davao City Third District Representative Isidro Ungab on Tuesday expressed concern over what he described as the “politicization” of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.
Ungab pointed out that the sudden increase in AICS allocations for Davao City ahead of the 2025 election season is raising serious red flags.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Ungab cited figures earlier disclosed by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson showing that Davao City’s 2nd District received the highest AICS allocation nationwide at P763.57 million as of September 2025, followed by the 1st District with P693.50 million.
He noted that these numbers remain “understated” as allocations for 2024 and the 3rd District were not included in the report.
Ungab questioned the ballooning funds, pointing out that “there was no calamity in Davao City” that would justify such massive releases.
Instead, he said AICS was allegedly used by certain candidates for mayor, vice mayor, and all congressional posts “to lure voters to their rallies, assemblies, and caucuses and even to bankroll their poll watchers.”
He stressed this practice constitutes a “clear violation of our laws,” noting Lacson’s observation that AICS funding typically spikes during election years.
He stated that the program’s allocation reportedly jumped to P44.44 billion in 2025, a midterm election year, from P34.27 billion in 2024.
Despite the alleged maneuvering, Ungab said Davao City voters “saw through the scheme,” pointing out that candidates of Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod, led by former president Rodrigo Duterte, won overwhelmingly across nearly all barangays and precincts in the city.
But Ungab urged the public not to lose sight of what he called the “main issue of the hour,” the widening flood-control corruption scandal, where testimonies and evidence continue to surface.
“May the axe fall on whomever the culprits may be from budget insertions to ghost or substandard project implementation,” he said.
Ungab added that concerns over AICS misuse must still be thoroughly investigated, calling for a Commission on Audit (COA) audit to examine release procedures, timing, and whether beneficiaries actually received the full amounts reflected in distribution forms.
“Let us not be distracted. Let us focus first on the flood control anomalies, and may the evidence and testimonies lead to the conviction of the culprits,” he wrote.
