The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to implement the revised and stricter guidelines of the Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), a senior official said during the DSWD Thursday Media Forum on March 20.
DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the revised guidelines will ensure that systems are fine-tuned to prevent the program from being used for political purposes during the campaign period and to guarantee the responsible use of taxpayers’ money.
One of the new provisions requires the public posting of the names of individuals, by province, who received financial assistance under the AKAP to enhance transparency.
“Doon sa Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) na inilabas hinggil sa implementasyon ng AKAP,
nakasaad na ang DSWD ay magpa-publish regularly ng benepisyaryo ng AKAP. Ito ay limited po doon sa province, names of the recipients,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao told reporters at the Media Forum.
To protect the confidentiality and security of beneficiaries’ personal information, any additional details may be provided upon request, subject to compliance with applicable Data Privacy Law and regulations, according to the DSWD spokesperson.
“Kapag magre-request pa kayo ng karagdagang impormasyon, example, the amount, specific address, subject na yan doon sa provisions ng Data Privacy Act. Kinakailangang may formal request na po,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao pointed out.
The JMC also strictly prohibits the display or distribution of posters, banners, or any materials linking politicians to the AKAP, as well as the presence of politicians during actual offsite financial assistance distribution.
“Naidagdag sa general provisions na dapat ay walang campaign materials, presence ng local officials, ng political actors sa isinasagawa nating payout activities,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
According to the DSWD spokesperson, the revised guidelines also include a rigorous assessment and validation process for potential AKAP beneficiaries.
“There is an intake sheet that will be used to really assess and determine kung walang ibang support systems, walang ibang resources yung ating mga beneficiaries kung kaya sila ay talagang nangangailangan ng tulong or they are indeed affected by the effects if rising inflation,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
The grievance mechanism has also been strengthened to enhance the monitoring of AKAP’s implementation.
The revised AKAP guidelines, jointly prepared by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the DSWD, is a requirement set by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr as conveyed in his veto message during the signing of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2025 last December 30.
A copy of the JMC was submitted to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on March 4. (YADP)