Sen. Raffy Tulfo backs ₱5-M aid for 1,666 iKalingas

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The Office of Sen. Raffy Tulfo supported the distribution of ₱5 million in financial assistance to residents of Tabuk City following a request from former Tinglayan Mayor Atty. Sacrament Gumilab to help fellow iKalingas in need.

The assistance was provided through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, with each qualified beneficiary receiving ₱3,000 in cash.

Distribution began on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the Kalinga State University (KSU)–Bulanao Campus for beneficiaries from Bado Dangwa and Malin-awa. The distribution continued on Thursday, October 15, for beneficiaries from Barangay Dilag.

Tulfo, a former broadcast journalist, became known for using radio and television programs to help people air complaints and seek solutions to personal, family and other concerns.

His public service programs include “Wanted sa Radyo” and “Raffy Tulfo in Action,” which have served as platforms for people seeking assistance with various problems.

In August 2022, Tulfo’s office opened an Aksyon Center in La Trinidad, Benguet, to make his public service initiatives more accessible to Cordillera residents. The center provides a venue for people to seek assistance and raise concerns without having to travel to Metro Manila.

Tulfo has also pursued legislative measures to strengthen government assistance for Filipinos facing difficult circumstances. In 2023, he and Sen. Loren Legarda filed Senate Bill No. 1821, or the proposed Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) Act, which sought to institutionalize the program and ensure funding for its continued implementation.

The proposal was later consolidated with other measures as part of broader legislative efforts to establish a stronger legal framework for the AICS program.

Under the program, qualified individuals and families experiencing crises may receive temporary assistance based on their assessed needs. The aid may cover expenses for food, medical care, transportation, education, burial and other essential needs.

The distribution in Tabuk City was intended to help qualified beneficiaries cope with their immediate financial difficulties through assistance provided under the DSWD program.