SENATOR Erwin Tulfo on Wednesday called for clearer guidelines and stronger assistance for students facing financial hardship under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

During a Senate discussion, Tulfo questioned how the DSWD determines valid prioritization under AICS, stressing that the term crisis situation should be clearly defined and consistently applied.

Drawing from his experience as a former DSWD secretary, Tulfo said crisis situations traditionally include families affected by disasters, fire incidents, illness, or death—circumstances that require immediate government aid.

DSWD Crisis Intervention Program head Artemio E. Bautista explained that a “crisis” may take many forms, including health and economic emergencies.

He noted that under updated guidelines issued in 2022, individuals who are considered financially incapacitated may now qualify for AICS even if they are not classified as indigent, in accordance with Republic Act No. 11463.

Tulfo welcomed the clarification but pressed further, asking whether students facing temporary financial difficulties could be covered by the program.

He cited cases of students who, despite free tuition, struggle with daily expenses such as transportation, board, and lodging—especially when their families are unable to provide support due to unforeseen events like crop losses caused by typhoons.

Bautista confirmed that under the proposed framework, students experiencing such hardships may be considered students in crisis and may qualify for assistance.

However, Tulfo emphasized the importance of putting safeguards in place to prevent abuse of the program should AICS assistance for students be institutionalized.

He proposed a referral system through schools, suggesting that students secure certification or endorsement from their respective Student Affairs Offices, registrars, or guidance counselors.

Under the proposed setup, Tulfo said students may only be required to present a school ID and an official referral from their school to access assistance from the DSWD, particularly in cases where formal billing documents are unavailable.

The senator said a clear referral mechanism would ensure that students in genuine need receive timely support while maintaining accountability in the implementation of the AICS program.