The House Blue Ribbon Committee stood firm on retaining the allocated funds for the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).
Assistant Deputy Minority Leader and Zambales 1st District Rep. Jefferson Khonghun and La Union 1st District Rep. Paolo Ortega were asked during a press conference on Monday, about the Senate’s proposal to cut the AKAP budget. The proposed decrease would be allotted to increase the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) funds for 2025.
However, the two lawmakers explained that it is the DSWD and Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) responsibility to provide aid to the middle and lower-class citizens of society. He added that this responsibility does not fall under the OVP’s job, and doing so would only result in a duplication of responsibility.
“Hindi naman responsbilidad ng opisina ng Vice President na magkaroon ng pondo, lalong-lalo na pag dating sa mga AICS, TUPAD, at kung ano-ano pa. Ito ay responsbilidad ng DSWD at DOLE,” Khonghun explained.
“Yung AKAP naman, nakikita nating maraming natutulungan, maraming nabibigyan na ayuda sa ating mga kababayan. Sana huwag itong bawasan, bagkus ay dapat dagdagan pa, para at least marami tayong matulungan sa ating mamamayan,” he added.
Ortega agreed to Khonghun’s explanation, adding that as national officials, they see how AKAP helps the working class, especially those with low incomes. According to the lawmaker, AKAP provides temporary relief to select communities, as they won’t have to worry about other bills.
“Iba yung naandon ka lang kasi sa taas, iba yung nasa ground na nakikita yung actual. Lalo na sa mga select na sector na ‘yan—mga grab drivers, mga dicer, delivery men and women,” he stressed.
“Nararamdaman nila ‘yan kasi minsan yung AKAP na ‘yon, bayad na yung bayad nila sa renta, bayad na yung bills nila. May pang grocery na sila. Malaking tulong ‘yang AKAP na ‘yan,” he added.
In Ortega’s opinion, AKAP is one of the great programs launched by the current administration. It would be a disservice to its beneficiaries if some officials think that the program’s budget needs to be cut or removed.
“It's a disservice to the working class, it's a disservice to the low-income earners,” he ended.
The DSWD’s AKAP provides minimum wage earners with financial aid and ayuda through giving out family food packs (FFPs) and the Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT).
