COA flags P397M in duplicate welfare payments under DSWD crisis aid program

The Commission on Audit (COA) discovered P397.45 million in "duplicate, multiple and overlapping" payments distributed through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program administered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The discrepancies were documented in the COA's 2025 annual audit report, which examined the welfare agency's disbursements to program beneficiaries. The audit revealed that certain recipients received payments multiple times, suggesting gaps in the program's verification and tracking systems.

The findings raise concerns about financial controls within one of the government's primary emergency assistance initiatives. The AICS program is designed to provide immediate support to individuals and families facing hardship due to calamities, health crises, and other emergency situations.

The duplicate payments represent a significant portion of program expenditures and underscore the need for improved monitoring mechanisms to prevent redundant fund transfers. The COA's report did not specify whether the overlapping payments resulted from system errors, beneficiary fraud, or administrative lapses.

The audit findings are expected to prompt the DSWD to review and strengthen its payment processing procedures to ensure funds reach intended beneficiaries without duplication and that public resources are properly accounted for.

Photo: DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian in his official portrait, 2023. Department of Social Welfare and Development via Wikimedia Commons (public domain).