BONTOC, Mountain Province (PIA) – The new program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that aims to protect minimum wage earners from the effects of inflation has benefitted 500 individuals from the different barangays of Bontoc.
The beneficiaries composed of barangay health workers, child development workers, green police, barangay functionaries, and tricycle and public utility jeepney drivers each received cash incentive of P3,000.00 or a total of P1.5 million under the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).
DSWD -Mountain Province personnel with Congressman Maximo Y. Dalog, Jr. and Mayor Jerome C. Tudlong led the AKAP payout on July 5 at the Municipal Auditorium.
Dalog advised the beneficiaries to use the cash assistance for their essential needs, and as much as possible spend the money in the locality.
Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Ezra Gomez who represented Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan Jr. explained that the AKAP and other cash assistance programs of the government have certain guidelines or beneficiary selection process and criteria, so not everybody is qualified to avail such.
Rather than be disgruntled or resentful of those who are eligible, the community should look at the positive side of the assistance.
According to DSWD, the target beneficiaries of the AKAP which was rolled out last May 18, are minimum wage earners whose income do not exceed the statutory minimum wage to help them cope with the effects of high inflation.
The AKAP does not include Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and indigent senior citizens social pension beneficiaries as they are already receiving regular assistance from DSWD.
Tudlong assured that the AKAP beneficiaries were cross-checked to ensure that only the qualified individuals are covered by the program.
“Ipakaawat tako ay waday adi maagtan, tay waday gamin guidelines. Adi mi pilpiliyen. Basta qualified ay mabalin ka guidelines, itapi tako,” the mayor said.
[We would like to clarify that not all will be given because there are guidelines. We are not choosing, as long as you are qualified based on the guidelines, you will be included.]
Dalog, Tudlong, and the beneficiaries expressed their heartfelt gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., House Speaker Martin Romualdez and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian for this initiative that provides the marginalized financial relief during these challenging times where prices of commodities and services are quickly rising.
Nida Cherwaken expressed her gratitude to the program.
“Iya-iyaman sina AKAP tay dakkel nan tulong na, am-amed ken tsakami ay farmers, yaman la unay!”
[Thank you to AKAP, this is such a huge help especially for us farmers. Thank you very much.]
Meanwhile, the Philippine Statistics Authority provided National ID Registration services during the payment. (VJLT- PIA CAR, Mountain Province)
