More than 4 million ‘near poor’ Filipinos benefitted from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD)  Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said on Wednesday (November 20).

Secretary Gatchalian underscored the necessity of including AKAP in the 2025 budget, urging the Senate to protect its funding amid recommendations to scrap it.

“We most respectfully urge our senators to keep AKAP funded in 2025. This program’s impact speaks for itself. Without it, millions could fall back into poverty,” Secretary Gatchalian told the senators during the plenary deliberation of the DSWD’s budget on Tuesday (November 19).

The DSWD chief said AKAP has not only provided immediate relief but also helped stabilize households which, in turn, contributes to the country’s economic resilience.

The AKAP program, which was initially conceptualized by House Speaker Martin Romualdez and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Zaldy Co, was designed to address gaps in assistance for working Filipinos with limited incomes.

The AKAP was widely welcomed by those who have jobs but insufficient income as it provided them with the much-needed financial support to cope with the rising inflation.

The AKAP initiative has demonstrated strong impact with P20.7 billion in funds, or 77.57 percent, already utilized out of the total P26.7 billion budget allocation.

The AKAP funds were allocated across all regions, with most areas achieving over 70 percent in fund obligations, like Regions 3 (Central Luzon), 5 (Bicol), and 6 (Western Visayas).

The National Capital Region (NCR) alone provided assistance to over 589,000 beneficiaries, showing the scale and reach of the program’s impact.

The AKAP provides a one-time cash assistance between P3,000 to P5,000 to eligible beneficiaries.

To qualify, families must have an income that falls below the poverty threshold and must not be receiving assistance from other government programs.

The DSWD continues to process applications and distribute assistance to qualified beneficiaries.

As budget discussions continue, Secretary Gatchalian hopes the Senate will uphold the program’s funding, emphasizing AKAP’s role in addressing socio-economic vulnerabilities.#

 

Tagalog Version

Higit 4-M ‘near poor’ natulungan ng AKAP ngayong 2024; Pondo sa programa, hiniling sa Senado na ituloy

Inihayag ni Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian na mahigit sa apat na milyong Pilipino ang nakinabang sa Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) ngayong taon.

“We most respectfully urge our senators to keep AKAP funded in 2025. This program’s impact speaks for itself. Without it, millions could fall back into poverty,” ayon kay Secretary Rex Gatchalian sa ginanap na deliberasyon sa Senado kaugnay ng DSWD proposed budget para sa 2025.

Ayon sa DSWD chief ang AKAP ay nakapagbibigay ng dagliang tulong sa pangangailangan ng mga naghihikahos nating kababayan dahil sa pagtaas ng bilihin, bukod pa sa nakapagko-contribute din ito ng katatagan para sa ekonomiya.

Ang AKAP program, ay konsepto ni House Speaker Martin Romualdez at House Appropriations Committee Chairman Zaldy Co. Ito ay dinisenyo upang tulungan ang mga manggagawang Pilipino na sumasahod ng mas mababa sa minimum o mga minimum wage earners upang makaagapay sa pagtaas ng bilihin.

Ang AKAP ay nabigyan ng budget allocation na Php26.7billion kung saan ang Php20.7 billion o 77.57 percent dito ang nagamit na.

Ang pondo ng AKAP ay naka-allocate sa lahat ng rehiyon sa bansa kung saan ang mahigit sa 70 percent ay nakapaloob sa fund obligations, tulad ng Regions 3 (Central Luzon), 5 (Bicol), and 6 (Western Visayas). Ang National Capital Region (NCR) ay nakapagbigay ng assistance sa halos 589,000 beneficiaries.

Ang AKAP ay nagbibigay ng one-time cash assistance na Php3,000 hanggang Php5,000 sa mga eligible beneficiaries nito. Para naman ma-qualify sa programa ang isang pamilya ay dapat na nabibilang sa minimum wage earners at hindi nakakatanggap ng anumang tulong mula sa mga programa ng gobyerno.

Patuloy naman ang DSWD sa pagpo-proseso ng mga aplikasyon at pamimigay ng cash assistance sa mga karapatdapat na benepisyaryo ng programa.

Samantala, umaasa naman si DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian na ipagpapatuloy ng Senado ang pagbibigay ng pondo para sa programa.# (MVC)