P397-M ‘duplicate’ payments found in DSWD ‘ayuda’ scheme

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) said it found P397.45 million worth of “duplicate, multiple and overlapping” payments to beneficiaries of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). In its 2025 annual audit report, the COA noted that some beneficiaries of the