By Rodolfo Dacleson II
(January 5, 2025) – The Department of Social Welfare (DSWD) has disagreed with deferring its government assistance program after the 2025 midterm elections despite concerns that it could be abused by candidates.
DSWD secretary Rex Gatchalian vowed that the guidelines for qualifying as a beneficiary of Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) will be “tighter,” saying it’s not a program by politicians.
“We cannot defer the implementation of the program that is much needed in light of inflation effects just because people are scared that it will be used for politics,” said Gatchalian in an interview on ANC on Friday.
He also questioned why AKAP is being “singled out” among other cash-based grants of the DSWD.
“All these programs are really meant to address certain needs of our constituents,” added Gatchalian, noting the different conditionalities of each cash aid program.
AKAP is a one-time cash assistance worth up to P5,000 for Filipinos with incomes below the poverty threshold and uncovered by other government assistance initiatives.
AKAP, a pet project of House Speaker Martin Romualdez, was initially scrapped from this year’s national budget but the bicameral committee restored P26 billion of its proposed P39 billion, while the funding for other key government agencies faced cuts.
ALSO READ: ‘Shame on you’: Romualdez slammed after AKAP budget restored amid PhilHealth’s zero subsidy
Minority lawmakers and sectoral groups have criticized AKAP, claiming its budget could be used to finance the campaigns of candidates allied with Romuladez. He is a cousin of Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr., who defended AKAP when he signed the 2025 General Appropriations Act.
ALSO READ: Ex-senator urges DBM to reveal amendments in national budget amid pork barrel concerns
Marcos explained that his administration will pursue “conditional implementation” of specific items, including AKAP, to ensure public funds won’t be corrupted.
(PM)
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