The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has simplified the guidelines for the target beneficiaries under the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) that include low-income and minimum wage-earners, especially those who were hit by inflation.

Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, who is also the DSWD’s spokesperson, said the simplified AKAP guidelines are stipulated in the Department’s Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 30 series of 2024 signed by Secretary Rex Gatchalian on August 9.

“The MC makes the program’s implementation more inclusive to cover those engaged in both the formal and informal economy,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said on Thursday (December 19).

More than 4 million low income and minimum wage earners nationwide, including farmers, fisherfolk and other sectors from the informal economy, have benefitted from AKAP as of November this year.

The DSWD spokesperson explained that the guidelines simplified the list of documentary requirements to make way for a more systematic review and verification process into the clients’ eligibility.

To establish eligibility as a minimum wage earner or low-income earner under the formal economy, applicants may present any of the following documents issued within the last three months: duly signed Contract of Employment; Certificate of Employment with Compensation (COE); an Income Tax Return (ITR) or BIR Form 2316; duly signed Audited Financial Statement, or a Certificate of Tax Exemption.

For the AKAP beneficiaries from the informal economy, the applicant must present any of the following: a certification from a direct employer; certification from government offices recognizing certain sectors or groups; association certification; business permit or barangay certification in case of small business owners.

A Social Case Summary or Social Case Study Report from Local Social Welfare and Development Office (LSWDO) or signed by any registered social worker; certificate of attestation; or notarized affidavit of low income which may be applicable, may also be presented.

“Other relevant documents are also required depending on the type of assistance needed in addition to the basic requirements establishing the eligibility of the clients,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.

The menu of assistance under the AKAP are medical, funeral, food, and cash relief which are provided directly through the Crisis Intervention Units/Sections (CIU/S) of the Department at both Central and Field Offices and through the Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) and Satellite Offices across the country.

The assistance to be provided under the AKAP may be in the form of cash or guarantee letter (GL).

The AKAP can also be implemented in partnership with local government units (LGUs) at the provincial, municipal, city, or barangay level. The provided assistance is called “Rice Assistance” where beneficiaries can use this to purchase rice to meet their nutritional requirements for sustenance.

”However, it is also clearly stated in the guidelines that a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the LGU and the DSWD is required. This is one of our measures to ensure that the funds are used with transparency and in line with its intended purpose,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao emphasized.

A beneficiary of the Rice Assistance through the LGUs may still qualify to receive the other types of assistance (medical, funeral, or cash relief) subject to the professional assessment of the DSWD social worker and availability of funds. (LSJ)

Tagalog Version

DSWD pinasimple AKAP guidelines para sa low-income, minimum wage earners

Pinasimple ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ang mga panuntunan ng Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) para sa target beneficiaries nito na kinabibilangan ng low-income at minimum wage-earners na hindi makaagapay sa hirap ng buhay dulot na rin ng pagtaas ng bilihin.

Sabi ni DSWD Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao,ang pinasimpleng AKAP guidelines ay nakasaad sa Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 30 series of 2024 na nilagdaan ni DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian nitong August 9.

“The MC makes the program’s implementation more inclusive to cover those engaged in both the formal and informal economy,” ani Asst. Secretary Dumlao.

Mahigit 4 million low income at minimum wage earners sa bansa, kabilang na ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda ang nagbenepisyo sa nasabing programa.

Pinaliwanag ni Asst Secretary Dumlao na simple na lang aniya ang mga requirements na kakailanganin upang bigyang daan na rin ang mas sistematikong review at verification process na gagawin sa mga kliyente.

Ang mga aplikante na nasa formal economy ay kinakailangang magsumite ng mga dokumento tulad ng signed Contract of Employment; Certificate of Employment with Compensation (COE); Income Tax Return (ITR) o BIR Form 2316; duly signed Audited Financial Statement, o Certificate of Tax Exemption.

At para naman sa mga AKAP beneficiaries na nabibilang sa informal economy, ang aplikante ay kailangang magsumite ng alin man sa mga sumusunod tulad ng certification mula sa direct employer; certification mula sa government offices ; association certification; business permit o barangay certification kung ito ay isang small business owners.

Maaari ding magsumite o magpakita ng dokumento ng Social Case Summary o Social Case Study Report mula sa Local Social Welfare and Development Office (LSWDO) o pirmado ng registered social worker; certificate of attestation; o notarized affidavit of low income.

“Other relevant documents are also required depending on the type of assistance needed in addition to the basic requirements establishing the eligibility of the clients,” dagdag pa ni Asst. Secretary Dumlao.

Ang mga tulong naman na maibibigay sa ilalim ng AKAP ay ang medical, funeral, food, at cash relief assistance. Ang mga ito ay direktang makukuha sa Crisis Intervention Units/Sections (CIU/S) sa tanggapan ng DSWD Central at Field Offices at maging sa mga Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) and Satellite Offices sa bansa.

Ang assistance na mula sa AKAP ay maaaring cash o guarantee letter (GL).

Ang AKAP ay maaari ding i-implement sa tulong ng local government units (LGUs) sa provincial, municipal, city, o barangay level. Ang tulong na “Rice Assistance” ay magagamit sa pagbili ng bigas upang matugunan ang nutritional requirements.

”However, it is also clearly stated in the guidelines that a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the LGU and the DSWD is required. This is one of our measures to ensure that the funds are used with transparency and in line with its intended purpose,”sabi pa ni Asst. Secretary Dumlao .

Samantala, ang beneficiary ng Rice Assistance sa pamamagitan ng LGUs ay maaari pa ding mag-qualify sa iba pang tulong tulad ng medical, funeral, or cash relief subalit ito ay nakabase pa din sa assessment ng DSWD social worker at availability of funds.# (MVC)