Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian assured the public on Wednesday (February 26) that the implementation of the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) will have tightened safety nets and will remain transparent based on the proposed AKAP guidelines.
“Pinagtulungan namin ng Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), ng National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) para lalo pang maging mas mahigpit ‘yung guidelines at siguraduhin na may safety nets para hindi ma-aabuso, hindi magamit,” Secretary Gatchalian said over TeleRadyo Serbisyo, where he was asked for updates on the implementation of the AKAP for this year.
In his veto message after he signed the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2025, President Ferdinand R. Marcos said the DSWD can only proceed with the implementation of the AKAP upon approval of a new, clearer guidelines jointly drafted by the DOLE, NEDA and DSWD.
Secretary Gatchalian told TeleRadyo Serbisyo that the new guidelines, which is now under review by the Office of the President (OP) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), was meticulously crafted to amplify the program’s safety nets against political partisanship, particularly in the context of the nearing midterm elections.
Among the agreed safety nets were the publication of the names of all beneficiaries who will be receiving the aid, as well as a stricter ban on political candidates’ participation in AKAP’s payout activities.
“Pangalawa, nilagay din natin doon na hindi puwede ang mga public official na pumunta sa payout mismo. Nilagay din natin do’n na hindi puwedeng may mga materyales nila sa loob. Materyales as in mga pagbati o tarpaulin. Hindi pwede doon sa venue sa loob ng venue ng payout,” Secretary Gatchalian explained.
The DSWD chief also pointed out that the elections should not be a reason for the public not to receive government aid.
“Hindi naman dapat natin pinag-a-adjust ang taumbayan dahil lang may election. But quite the contrary, tayo dapat mag-adjust to make sure na ang guidelines naaangkop sa
panahon at naaangkop sa agam-agam ng ating mga kababayan,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
With these added safety nets, Secretary Gatchalian said he expects the guidelines to finally get a green light from the President, and the agency can further elevate public trust over the program.
“Ako pag tatanungin niyo ako, gusto ko ‘yong AKAP dahil maraming natutulungan 4-milyon mahigit ang natulungan last year ng AKAP at kung makikita niyo ‘yong huling survey ng SWS, Pulse Asia at nitong pinakahuli na OCTA,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
The latest OCTA Research survey showed 69 percent, or 7 out of 10 Filipinos, support the continuation and expansion of AKAP. The survey was conducted from January 25-31, using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 male and female probability respondents aged 18 years and above.
The AKAP program was also considered beneficial by 81% of Filipinos, a figure mirrored in both the Social Weather Stations (SWS) and Pulse Asia surveys.
The SWS survey, conducted from January 17 to 20 interviewed 1,800 respondents with a ±2% margin of error, while the Pulse Asia survey, conducted from January 18 to 25 interviewed 2,400 respondents with the same ±2% margin of error. (LSJ)