The government has given P139.8 million in financial aid to 29,906 beneficiaries in Davao City, Davao de Oro, and Davao del Norte over the last four days under the flagship welfare program of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP) program.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, together with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Sec. Rex Gatchalian and local partners successfully conducted a four-day AKAP payout from October 18 to 21 in Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, and Davao City upon the instruction of President Marcos to support low-income and vulnerable residents.
The payout kicked off on Friday in Tagum City Davao del Norte, followed by events in Davao de Oro over the weekend, and culminated in Davao City on Monday, where former Civil Service Commission chair Karlo Nograles led the distribution.
Nograles served as the local coordinator for the Davao City payout, which provided P14.5 million in aid to 4,859 beneficiaries.
Romualdez emphasized that this initiative is a testament to the administration’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare of Davaoeños.
“Care and love of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. is what drives us to make sure that every Filipino, especially the people of Davao, are not neglected. We will continue to work to ensure that your livelihood is in good condition,” Romualdez said.
“Upon order of President Marcos and the leadership of Speaker Romualdez, we want to ensure that aid reaches those who need it the most. The AKAP program is a response to help with their daily expenses,” he said.
According to Deputy Secretary-General Sofonias Gabonada, the four-day event highlighted the Marcos administration’s focus on providing timely assistance to marginalized sectors, especially in economically disadvantaged communities.
Gabonada said the distribution in Davao del Norte, held on October 18, saw a total of P48,625,000 in cash aid granted to 9,725 beneficiaries, each receiving P5,000.
These beneficiaries included teachers, non-teaching school personnel, mall employees, private hospital staff, and other low-income residents.
Local officials, including Vice Governor Oyo Uy and Representative Alan Dujali, played pivotal roles in ensuring that the distribution was efficiently carried out.
Gabonada added that over the weekend, October 19 and 20, the AKAP distribution moved to Davao de Oro, where a total of P76,610,000 was distributed to 15,322 beneficiaries, also at P5,000 per recipient.
Beneficiaries in this area included barangay workers, school personnel, and other low-income earners.
Financially-challenged students were also beneficiaries of the payouts thru the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS).
Local leaders such as Rep. Maricar Zamora, Councilor Myrill Apit of Mawab, Vice Mayor Honeyboy Libuangan of Laak, and other community leaders from Maco, Mabini, and Nabunturan were instrumental in facilitating the smooth conduct of the payout in the province.
“Nakita natin ang pagtutulungan ng national at local government upang masigurong mabilis at maayos ang distribusyon ng tulong sa Davao de Oro,” Gabonada said.
(We have seen the cooperation of the national and local government to ensure the fast and proper distribution of aid in Davao de Oro)
On the final day, Oct. 21, the payout in Davao City, led by Nograles, provided P14,577,000 in cash aid to 4,859 beneficiaries. Each recipient received P3,000. The beneficiaries primarily consisted of low-income residents struggling to meet their daily needs.
Romualdez credited the success of the AKAP distribution to the close collaboration between the national government and local officials.
In Davao City, Nograles worked closely with Speaker Romualdez to ensure that the assistance reached the intended beneficiaries.
Nograles expressed gratitude for the national government’s focus on the welfare of Davaoeños.
With the success of the AKAP payout in Davao provinces, Speaker Romualdez assured that the government will continue to expand its efforts in delivering financial aid and other forms of support to ensure the recovery and development of local communities.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Government distributes over P139-m to Davaoeños during 4-day AKAP drive.”
