Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian has emphasized that the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation are social welfare programs that are need-driven and not just arbitrarily given to anyone.
“Itong AICS at AKAP, they fall under our social welfare program. Yung social welfare o ang tulong pinansyal laging may reason yan, is it medical, is it burial, is it for transportation ‘yung mga balik probinsya, is it for food? Kasi yan yung mga isyu na tinatalakay natin. So, hindi siya ‘yung konsepto na pupunta ka, hihingi ka lang ng tulong pinansyal. Hindi ganun ‘yun,” the DSWD chief told reporters in a press conference on Thursday (March 27) at the DSWD Central Office’s New Press Center.
Persons seeking help from the DSWD, whether walk-in or referred clients, must prove their needs before the agency’s social workers who undertake the assessment of requests for assistance, according to Secretary Gatchalian.
Upon assessment, the social worker then proceeds to determine which program is the most appropriate to the client’s needs.
While the DSWD chief acknowledged that the AKAP and AICS are frequently confused with each other, their respective guidelines highlight their own target beneficiaries as the primary distinction.
“Now, kapag lumapit ka sa amin, doon na yung social worker magde-determine kung una ikaw ba ay below minimum wage, kung below minimum wage ka din, we can access the AKAP for you. Kapag lagpas ka ng minimum wage pataas ka, hindi ka qualified pero may need pa din, then we can charge you in the AICS fund naman,” Secretary Gatchalian pointed out.
Under the new AKAP guidelines, the program is now focused on helping Filipinos earning below the minimum wage rate.
The AICS, on the other hand, caters to a broader range of clients, serving as a stop-gap mechanism for Filipinos undergoing crises.
“AICS, remember, is a program for any individual who is going through a crisis. Ito [AKAP], it’s only for below minimum wage earners, so, kumbaga ‘yong AICS is for a bigger population, universal siya, it is for all of us basta meron kang krisis na
pinagdadaanan, mapapatunayan mo through billings ng hospital, promissory note ng hospital, kontrata ng serbisyo kung may namamatayan,” Secretary Gatchalian pointed out.
In the same press conference, Secretary Gatchalian explained that the AICS and AKAP have similar menus of assistance which include medical, burial, food, educational, and cash relief assistance.
The DSWD chief said the provision of aid is defined by the client’s presented documentary requirements and the result of their interview with the social worker.
“Katulad ng iba nating programa, lahat yan needs-based, ipakita mo sa amin ‘yung
pangangailangan mo i-a-assess ng social worker natin at social worker ‘yung mag-didikta ng range. Kasi doon sa guidelines may range siya. Bawat menu item may range siya kung magkano at hanggang magkano lamang,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
In 2024, more than 6 million Filipinos facing difficult circumstances were provided with aid under the AICS.
AKAP, on the other hand, has benefitted almost 5 million near-poor Filipinos during its first year of implementation in 2024. (LSJ)