Cash aid program has real beneficiaries —Romualdez

The government’s grant of cash assistance to poor and near-poor individuals is not a dole-out but serves justice and has real beneficiaries, Speaker Martin Romualdez said Wednesday.

Romualdez made the statement amid criticisms on the P26 billion Ayuda Para sa Kapos and Kita Program or AKAP under the proposed P6.325 trillion budget for 2025. 

AKAP is an initiative of the House of Representatives which was first funded in the 2024 national budget.

“To those who doubted the importance of social safety nets, let this be a reminder: ayuda is not charity; it is justice. It is our duty to ensure that no Filipino falls through the cracks, especially in times of crisis,” Romualdez said.

“This is what governance means — not merely passing laws but ensuring that these laws translate into hope and dignity for every Filipino family. Sa mga kontra sa ayuda, handang ipakita ng administrasyong ito kung saan napunta ang bawat sentimong inilaan para rito,” Romualdez added.

(The administration stands ready to show the proceeds of this aid to our people.) 

The Speaker also noted that the funds for cash assistance to those in need, including AKAP, have legitimate beneficiaries and were not flagged by state auditors.  The Departments of Social Welfare and Development, Labor, and Health were the implementing agencies.

“These agencies are the ones running the program, not Congress. Lahat ng programang ito: may totoong benepisyaryo. May totoong resibo. Walang notice of disallowance mula sa Commission on Audit (COA),” he said.

(All these programs reach the intended beneficiaries. There are receipts. They were not issued notice of disallowance.)

COA issues a notice of disallowance if the expenditure is “either irregular, unnecessary, excessive, extravagant, or unconscionable.”

A notice of disallowance is usually followed by an order to return the amount of public funds disallowed. 

“Despite efforts to dim the light of this dignified institution, we held our ground.  We refused to be defeated by false accusations and malicious maneuvers driven by self-interest, selfishness, and greed. It is not easy to be in public service, but it is moments like these —when the results of our labor manifest in the improved lives of our people — that make it all worthwhile,” he added.

Senator Imee Marcos, the sister of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., earlier said that AKAP could be used to gain votes in the May 2025 polls.

Sen. Marcos' sentiment was shared by the members of the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives.—LDF, GMA Integrated News