(UPDATED) A senior official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) warned the public against false information about the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) spreading on social media.
“The Department received reports on various social media posts from online groups and pages that contain announcements aimed to misinform the public about the programs and services of the Department, specifically the AKAP program,” DSWD Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, the agency’s spokesperson, said on Tuesday (November 19).
“We would like to remind the public, especially our beneficiaries, to verify their online information sources and engage only with legitimate platforms. These include official government websites and verified social media pages, such as the official DSWD Facebook page (https://web.facebook.com/dswdserves),” the DSWD spokesperson said.
The DSWD official explained that AKAP is a targeted social assistance and social safety net provided for minimum wage earners and low income earners from both the formal and informal economy,” the DSWD spokesperson said.
The General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2024, specifically through Special Provision No. 3 of the DSWD Budget, has allocated Php 26.7 billion to fund the AKAP. The funding is intended to provide financial assistance to minimum wage earners and low-income earners helping them cope with mitigating risks and economic shocks significantly affected by rising inflation.
Based on the DSWD Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 30 series of 2024, which Secretary Rex Gatchalian signed on August 9, eligible beneficiaries under the AKAP may receive cash assistance from Php1,000 to Php10,000, depending on the type of assistance and assessment of the DSWD social workers as a result of the conducted interview.
Support will be provided for assistance exceeding Php10,000 through a Guarantee Letter approved by the DSWD Approving Authority.
The MC further stated that other beneficiaries of the DSWD’s regular programs may still request assistance from the menu of AKAP as long as they are eligible subject to the assessment of the social workers, availability of funds, and compliance with requirements.
The type of assistance under AKAP are medical, funeral, food, and cash relief assistance 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 Satellite Offices (SWAD Offices) across the country.
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 shall be used to purchase rice to meet the nutritional requirements for sustenance.
A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the LGU and the DSWD is required, likewise with LGUs and local rice retailers as outlined in MC 30.
A Beneficiary of the Rice Assistance through LGUs may still qualify to receive the other type of assistance (medical, funeral, or cash relief) subject to the professional assessment of the DSWD social worker and availability of funds.# (AKDL)
Tagalog Version
DSWD nagbabala vs pekeng impormasyon sa AKAP
Nagbabala ang Department of Social Welfare and Development laban sa mga maling impormasyon hinggil sa Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) na naglalabasan sa social media.
“The Department received reports on various social media posts from online groups and pages that contain announcements aimed to misinform the public about the programs and services of the Department, specifically the AKAP program,” sabi ni DSWD Asst. Secretary at Spokesperson Irene Dumlao.
Dagdag pa ng opisyal, “We would like to reiterate that AKAP is a social safety net provided to those under the low-income category or those whose income does not exceed the statutory minimum wage.”
Batay sa General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2024, partikular ang Special Provision No. 3 ng DSWD Budget, naglaan ng Php 26.7 billion upang pondohan ang AKAP. Ang nasabing pondo ay inilaan para sa financial assistance ng mga minimum wage earners o mga low-income individuals na apektado ng pagtaas ng bilihin.
Base sa DSWD Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 4, series of 2024, na nilagdaan ni Secretary Rex Gatchalian nitong February 26, ang mga legible beneficiaries sa ilalim ng AKAP ay makatatanggap ng cash assistance mula Php 1,000 hanggang Php 10,000, depende sa assessment ng mga DSWD social workers.
Para naman sa assistance na lalagpas ng Php 10,000 ang pangangailangan ito ay mabibigyan ng Guarantee Letter na aprubado ng DSWD Secretary.
Ang mga indibidwal naman na nakatatanggap ng regular assistance mula sa iba pang programa ng DSWD ay hindi na mabibigyan ng assistance sa ilalim ng AKAP. Kabilang na dito ang mga myembro ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) at indigent senior citizens na tumatanggap ng monthly social pension na Php 1,000.
“Beneficiaries who receive aid such as food, medical, funeral, and cash relief, under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), must comply with the rules on aid frequency and limitations set by AKAP,” sabi pa ni Asst. Secretary Dumlao.
Ang AKAP ay direktang ini-implementa ng Crisis Intervention Units/Sections (CIU/S) ng ahensya maging ito ay nasa Central at Field Offices ng DSWD.
Maaari ding ma-implement ang AKAP sa pakikipagtulungan ng local government units (LGUs) provincial, municipal, city, o barangay level.
Para sa mga LGUs na nagsasagawa ng AKAP distribution, mayroong Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) ang LGU at DSWD na nakapaloob sa MC No. 4, series of 2024.
Nakasaad sa nasabing agreement na ang LGUs ay responsable sa proper use at disbursement ng pondo.
“It is important to note that these funds cannot be transferred to other LGUs, “ ayon kay asst. secretary Dumlao.
Sabi pa ng opisyal “We would like to remind the public, especially our beneficiaries, to verify their online information sources and engage only with legitimate platforms. These include official government websites and verified social media pages, such as the official DSWD Facebook page (https://web.facebook.com/dswdserves).”# (MVC)
