BATAC CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. spearheaded the payout of Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) amounting to ₱35 million to 7,000 indigent residents of Ilocos Norte second district on Sept. 11 at the Mariano Marcos State University Gymnatorium in this city.
Each beneficiary received ₱5,000 from the program under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The AKAP provides financial aid to minimum wage earners falling under the low-income category who are affected by rising inflation.
In his message, the president reiterated the government’s commitment to upholding programs that prioritize the welfare of the Filipino people.
He said, “Kayong mga benepisyaryo, alam namin na napakahirap ng inyong dinadaanan. Asahan ninyo na nandito ang inyong national government, nandito ang provincial government, nandiyan ang ating mga diputado, both in the first district and in the second district, na tumutulong lahat. Lahat ng ahensya ng pamahalaan, lahat pati local government units, mga agency ng government ay pinagkaisa namin at sinabi naming kailangan ay magtulungan at matulungan natin ‘yong tao.”
[We know that what you are going through is very difficult. Rest assured that your national government is here, the provincial government is here, and our representatives, both from the first district and the second district, are all here to help. We united all government agencies, including local government units, and said that we need to work together and help the people.]
Among the recipients of this program was Nestor Maddela, a 66-year-old resident of Barangay Magnuang in this city, who expressed his deep appreciation to the president, saying the assistance came at a crucial time.
He said, “Dakkel a pagyamanak kenni apo presidente, ta naikkanak ti gundaway a makaawat ti tulong nga aggapo mismo kaniana. Ket ti pangiyusarak met daytoy, under medical [observation nak] ngamin ah, kasla daytoy asideg ti dilak. Kagapgapok hospital idi Lunes, Sept. 9, isu pangusarak to diay kua [assistance]. Dakkel a pagyamanak ta maysaak kadagiti nabenepisyaran. Dakkel unay a pagyamanak. Sapaykuma ta itul-tuloy ni apo presidente daytoy nga inrugina a ganuat.”
[I am extremely grateful to the president for allowing me to receive assistance. This is timely and crucial for me as I recently went to the hospital on Monday, Sept. 9, and was diagnosed with complications involving my tongue. While waiting for my test results, I will use this money for my medication. I am extremely thankful to be one of the recipients. Thank you so much. I hope the president continues this initiative.]
Another beneficiary, Roselli Luna, 68, from Barangay Pagdilao in Pinili town, also shared her gratitude for the support provided by the present administration, particularly as a senior citizen who needs maintenance medication.
Subtitle: “Para kaniak, nasayaat unay daytoy a programa nga inted ti apo presidente nangruna ket tatta nga aldaw ket maselebraran ti birthday daydi ex-president a father ni presidentetayo ket dakkel ti maitulong na para kaniak. Dakkel ti maitulong na nangnangruna ta agme-maintenance nak. So siguro, didiay man maipaay kadakami nga ited ti gobyerno under President Marcos, dakkel a banag para kaniami a senior citizen kasla kaniak kuma nga agme-maintenance.”
[I think the President’s program is excellent, especially since today is the former president’s birthday and who is our current President’s father. It helps me a lot, especially because I need this for my maintenance. I believe that the support provided by the government under President Marcos is beneficial for us senior citizens who require maintenance.]
She added, “Ti mensahek kenni Apo Presidente, agtultuloy koma daytoy a programa nga ipapaayna ti kakailiantayo nangnangruna kadakami a senior citizen ta dakkel unay a banag daytoy a maipapaay manipod siguro ibagak nga [idi] nagtugaw. Kasi since adda met diay maaw-awat idi pero siguro makunak a mas ad-adda pay ti maaw-awatmi a senior citizen under daytoy a pinagtakem na kas Presidente.”
[My message to the President is that he should continue this program for our fellow citizens, especially for us senior citizens. Since he took office, we have been receiving more assistance, and I hope this support continues during his presidency.]
After this, around 9,500 residents of the first district of Ilocos Norte received similar aid in Laoag City, demonstrating the widespread impact of the program in addressing the needs of the community.
The payout coincided with the commemoration of the 107th birth anniversary of former president Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. (MJTAB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)
