AKAP now focused on giving aid to Filipinos earning below the minimum wage - DSWD chief

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Thursday (March 27) emphasized that the new guideline of the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) is now focused on providing assistance to Filipinos who are earning below the minimum wage.

Secretary Gatchalian said this adjustment in the target program beneficiaries aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s veto message when he signed the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2025 and ordered the crafting of a new AKAP set of guidelines.

“Dati kasi last year, ang term na ginamit sa special provision was low income. So, ngayon, mas defined siya as below minimum wage… mas manipis siya dahil kung matatandaan niyo dun sa veto message ng pangulo, nakalagay doon below minimum wage. So, ang mag ka-qualify, ang mga mamamayan na below minimum wage,” Secretary Gatchalian told reporters during the press conference at the Central Office’s New Press Center.

Secretary Gatchalian said the new guidelines also provide for the posting of the names of individuals who have received financial assistance under the AKAP in the DSWD official website and social media platforms.

This provision, according to the DSWD chief, ensures program transparency and reaffirms that taxpayers’ money is responsibly used and monitored.

“Nilagyan rin natin ito ng publication provision kung saan yung mga beneficiaries and the areas kung nasaan sila, ay ipu-publish sa webpage ng DSWD and other social media accounts,” Secretary Gatchalian pointed out.

The DSWD chief emphasized that every amendment into the new guidelines was meticulously crafted with the joint inputs of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the DSWD.

“Tulad ng nasabi ko, gusto ko i-emphasize na masusing pinag-aralan at hinubog yung guidelines ng AKAP. Hindi lang kami sa DSWD, kasama rin namin ang DOLE at ang NEDA sa paghubog nung joint memo circular na naging basehan nitong pag rollout natin ng AKAP,” Secretary Gatchalian said.

Secretary Gatchalian said the contents of the guidelines seek to mitigate public woes on possible political interference to the program — not just amid the approaching mid-year election, but throughout its year-round implementation.

As stated in the guidelines, candidates will be prohibited from being present during the actual offsite financial assistance distribution, as well as the display or distribution of their posters, banners, or any materials linking them to the AKAP.

“Sisiguraduhin namin na dapat in the conduct of the payouts — kasi yung nagiging issue eh, diba? — walang politiko. And we will make sure na wala rin dapat yung materyales nila doon,” Secretary Gatchalian pointed out.

Almost 5 million near-poor Filipinos have benefitted from the DSWD’s AKAP during its first year of implementation from January to December 2024.

The AKAP program has demonstrated strong impact with Php26.157 billion in funds, or 99.31 percent utilization rate, from the total Php26.7 billion budget allocation for 2024.

The AKAP funds were allocated across the country and almost all regions achieved more than 99 percent in fund obligations, with Cagayan Valley (Region 2), Davao Region (Region 11) and Caraga (Region 13) posting 100 percent utilization.

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

Under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for 2025, around 5 million below minimum wage earners are targeted to benefit from the AKAP’s Php26 billion budget. (LSJ)

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