‘AKAP’ EMBRACED
THE Bicameral conference committee has decided to allocate funding for the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) next year.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez expressed gratitude to the members of the committee, particularly to the Senators for the support to AKAP, as they finally approved a committee report on the 2025 national budget.
Romualdez likewise thanked House committee on appropriations, chaired by Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, “for successfully defending the House version on the budget proposals.”
“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa kapwa nating mga congressmen at sa Senate na sinuportahan nila ‘yung AKAP. Na-maintain at naibalik kaya tuloy-tuloy ang programa ng AKAP para sa mahihirap,” Speaker Romualdez, the main proponent of AKAP said.
In response to the President’s call to ensure assistance for the people, Romualdez with the help of some government agencies, has initiated assistance to workers who are not earning much.
“Iyun ang talagang hangarin nating lahat, tulungan natin ang ating mga kababayan sa kahirapan ng inflation at mataas na bilihin,” Romualdez said.
When asked about reports that senators would also receive AKAP, he responded, “Well, we can have arrangements now with the Senate po, we’re looking forward to that. We were supported by the Senate, so maraming salamat sa ating [mga senators].”
“Ito’y isang mahalagang programa para sa mga Pilipinong may trabaho ngunit hindi sapat ang kita. Tiniyak ng ating House panel na mananatili ang AKAP sa 2025 budget para tulungan ang ating mga kababayan,” Speaker said in a separate statement.
“Ang AKAP ay isang anti-inflation measure na layong pigilan ang mga near-poor families na bumalik sa kahirapan dahil sa mga di-inaasahang pangyayari tulad ng sakit, pagkamatay, o kalamidad. Pinapakita nito ang pagpa-pahalaga ng Kongreso sa AKAP bilang lifeline ng maraming Pilipino,” he explained.
