House leaders of the have expressed full support for the Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), saying the social amelioration program positively impacts the lives of poor Filipino families.
House Deputy Majority Leader Jude Acidre of Tingog party-list, House Assistant Majority Leaders Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur and Jil Bongalon of Ako Bicol party-list and Cagayan de Oro Rep. Lordan Suan all expressed reservations on the decision of the Senate finance committee to remove the AKAP funds in the proposed 2025 national budget.
Acidre urged the Senate to look at the concrete results of AKAP, stressing that even a modest amount of assistance goes a long way for families barely getting by.
Adiong echoed Acidre’s sentiments, underscoring that AKAP embodies the goals of the Bagong Pilipinas initiative to bring government services closer to the people.
Bongalon, who represents a region frequently hit by natural disasters, highlighted how AKAP supports those just above the poverty line, who often receive little to no aid in times of crisis.
“If we have a program for the poorest of the poor which is the 4Ps, we should also have programs for minimum wage earners. Sa amin sa Bicol Region, malaking bagay ‘yung financial assistance na natanggap nila bago ang Bagyong Kristine. Hindi sila basta-basta na lamang magdedepende sa mga relief operations,” he said.
Suan said AKAP is data-driven, assisting low-income earners who constitute a substantial portion of the population.
Adiong raised that in regions with high poverty rates, AKAP serves as a vital lifeline.
“Coming from one of the poorest regions, we need to help constituents. Kami ni Cong. Lordan Suan from Mindanao may mga communities na may conflict-affected areas. AKAP does exactly that,” he said.
The lawmakers underscored the importance of AKAP, urging the Senate to carefully review the program’s benefits before considering any move to
They also emphasized the need to improve the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council system to ensure a quicker response.
