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5 million near-poor Pinoys got aid from AKAP in 2024 —DSWD


Almost five million Filipinos benefited from the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) program under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for 2024, an official of the department said.

The utilization rate of the P26.7 billion allocation for AKAP in 2024 reached 99.3 utilization during its first year of implementation, DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said.

Cagayan Valley (Region 2), Davao Region (Region 11) and Caraga (Region 13) had 100 percent utilization.

AKAP provides P5,000 cash assistance to each eligible beneficiary. To qualify, a family must have an income that falls below the poverty threshold and must not be receiving assistance from other government programs.

AKAP includes medical, funeral, food, and cash relief which are provided directly through the DSWD’s Crisis Intervention Units/Sections at both the central and field offices and through the Social Welfare and Development and Satellite Offices across the country.

The P6.326-trillion national budget for 2025 also allocated P26 billion for the AKAP program, which is expected to benefit five million minimum wage earners and Filipinos living on the poverty threshold based on DSWD records.

In compliance with President Ferdinand Marcos,Jr.’s directive, secretaries of the DSWD, the Department of Labor and Employment and the National Economic and Development Authority will meet on Friday to draft guidelines for the release of AKAP funds by the Department of Budget and Management.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian assured that AKAP is insulated from politics amid fears that its budget will be used in the 2025 midterm elections.

“The DSWD will not be used by anybody for their political gains, not next year, not ever. The DSWD social workers do stringent verification and validation processes for clients who seek financial assistance, with or without referrals from legislators and local government unit (LGU) officials,” Gatchalian said.

“There is no line item that entitles any congressional district or LGU to have an allocation in any amount and lodged this with the DSWD that could benefit their constituents. Referrals from legislators and local executives are entertained pursuant to existing DSWD guidelines. Our social workers, and not politicians, determine the beneficiaries,” he added.

Further, the DSWD chief said that the agency’s field offices actively coordinate and work with LGU officials in payout activities but only for logistical support.

In a separate statement, House appropriations panel chairperson and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co said the AKAP program disburses public funds efficiently.

“AKAP is a clear example of how government funds should be used—efficiently and without corruption. Do we want confidential funds like those in Davao City, DepEd or Office of the Vice President under Vice President Sara Duterte which were riddled with 100% corruption, or programs like AKAP with zero corruption?” Co said.

“Ang pinakamalalakas bumatikos ay kadalasan yung walang ginagawa para tumulong sa tao. AKAP directly addresses inflation and uplifts the lives of our countrymen, especially the near-poor,” Co added.

(Those who talk a lot, more often than not, are the ones who are not doing anything to help the people.)

“If we can achieve this now, why wasn’t it done before? Where did the money go?” Co said.

“Huwag nating ilihis ang usapan. Kailangang panagutin ang mga responsable,” Co added.

GMA News Online has reached out to the camp of Vice President Duterte and will publish it as soon as it becomes available.—LDF, GMA Integrated News