DSWD to make sure AKAP serves true purpose, beneficiaries
THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) underscored the need to tighten the guidelines for the implementation of the Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP) Program.
In a television interview, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said this is to guarantee the protection of taxpayers’ money as directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
According to Gatchalian the DSWD is teaming up with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in crafting of the joint AKAP guidelines.
Garchalian assured Filipinos that “more stringent measures” for the AKAP will be prepared that will pacify the fears of our taxpayers that their money will be used for politics.
“I am meeting with NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma of DOLE because the three of us were assigned to come up with joint guidelines as required by the conditional implementation of AKAP,” Gatchalian said.
The DSWD chief said the meeting with the DOLE and NEDA will give more dimensions as to how the program can become not a one-time solution but rather something sustainable that will try to address persistent problems.
“There were initial talks with Secretary Laguesma already which was very fruitful and now we’re going to meet again together with Secretary Balisacan to make sure that One, the targeting is very tight and Two, that we remain faithful to the special provision or to the veto message of the President when it comes to the conditional implementation of the AKAP,” Gatchalian said.
In his keynote speech shortly after signing the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) last December 30, President Marcos required the conditional implementation of AKAP and several programs of the national government, subject to the submission of clear guidelines.
When asked about how the DSWD will safeguard the AKAP funds from being abused or taken advantage of by some politicians, Secretary Gatchalian pointed out that the program is being implemented above board and following the strictest protocols of the DSWD.
“We make sure that every single individual that comes in and avails of it is properly vetted by our social workers. Remember that in all our programs, we normally do a social case wherein the social workers take time to interview, vet, and understand the individual needs of an individual,” he said.
“We’re going to make sure that only those who are below minimum wage earners will be given AKAP or financial assistance as part of this program,” Gatchalian emphasized.
AKAP is a program intended to provide targeted social assistance and safety net for minimum wage and low-income earners who are made vulnerable by rising inflation.
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