THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is the sole agency that implements the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).

This was clarified by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian in response to criticisms that AKAP is being used as pork barrel of the lawmakers.

“Iyong buong amount na P26 billion, lahat yan ay DSWD ang magpapatupad, hindi po ang mga pulitiko, hindi po ang mga public servants natin. Pondo ‘yan ng DSWD. Lahat yan ay dadaan sa masusing pag-aaral, bawat sentimo, ng social workers natin,” Gatchalian said during an interview with Teleradyo Serbisyo.

The bicameral conference committee, composed of congressmen and senators, has approved the restoration of the P26 billion AKAP allocation in the 2025 national budget.

Gatchalian explained that the AKAP’s potential beneficiaries are assessed individually by social workers of the DSWD before receiving any cash aid.

“Tulad ng ipinaliwanag ko kanina, everything goes to a social worker’s case intake. Iniisa-isa nila yan,” the DSWD chief pointed out.

He further explained that the AKAP is different from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the DSWD’s flagship poverty alleviation program, in terms of beneficiaries and program objectives.

“Ang AKAP ay ibinibigay kapag may pangangailangan, hindi yung katulad ng 4Ps na regular na natatanggap dahil kailangan ka naming iahon sa kahirapan,” Gatchalian explained.

“Ang 4Ps ay para sa mga no income. Ang beneficiaries natin sa 4Ps ay the poorest of the poor. Pangalawa, and 4Ps ay recurring, buwan-buwan at may conditions,” he added.

The AKAP provides a one-time cash assistance to eligible beneficiaries whose income falls below the poverty threshold.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Jester P. Manalastas