MANILA, (PIA) — Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian clarified that the “Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP)” is not a pork barrel fund and that barangay officials are not responsible for the beneficiary list.
“Let me reiterate that all of DSWD’s Field Offices across the country serve people in need, whether they are walk-in clients or were referred by local government unit (LGU) officials. DSWD social workers process applications for AKAP and determine the amount of aid for qualified beneficiaries,” Gatchalian said.
His comments came in response to a statement made on December 26 by Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, who suggested that cash assistance under AKAP resembles pork barrel funding and that barangay officials submit the beneficiary lists.
Gatchalian emphasized that there is nothing in the AKAP guidelines granting barangay officials authority over the beneficiary list.
“With due respect to the former Supreme Court Justice, AKAP is not pork barrel since any good Samaritan can refer potential beneficiaries, and the barangay has nothing to do with AKAP based on our existing guidelines,” he said.
The Secretary explained that while lawmakers and local officials can refer potential aid recipients, these referrals undergo assessment and verification by social workers to ensure eligibility based on AKAP guidelines.
“The original intention of the AKAP program is to protect minimum wage earners and near-poor Filipinos from the effects of inflation that erode their buying power. It is intended to provide a menu of assistance for goods and services affected by high inflation, depending on individual needs,” Gatchalian added.
As stated in the General Appropriations Act of 2024, particularly Special Provision No. 3 of the DSWD Budget, funding of P26.7 billion has been authorized for AKAP as financial assistance for minimum wage earners classified as low income and affected by rising prices.
Since the program’s inception in January, nearly 5 million “near poor” Filipinos have benefited from AKAP as of December 26. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
