SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Saturday welcomed the official launch of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s new aid program where an unprecedented P3 billion in cash aid will be granted to more than 1 million beneficiaries in just one day.

Speaker Romualdez is one of the proponents of the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) under the Deparment of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) of Sec. Rex Gatchalian, earmarking P26.7 billion in the 2024 national budget as a cash aid program for the poor, “near-poor,” minimum wage earners, low-income earners and those in financial distress.

“Karangalan ko pong ihatid sa inyo ngayong araw ang pinakabagong programa ng ating pamahalaan — ang Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program, o AKAP,” said Speaker Romualdez, leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives.

“Sa utos ng Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., binuo natin ang programang ito para tulungan ang ating mga kababayang mahihirap na apektado ng pagtaas ng mga presyo o inflation,” he added.

The AKAP Program is part of the over half a trillion pesos worth of financial aid approved by Congress and signed by President Marcos Jr. in the 2024 General Appropriations Act.

For today’s launch, each of the 1,002,000 beneficiaries of the AKAP in 334 areas nationwide will receive P3,000 each, for a whopping total of over P3 billion in cash aid payout in one day.

“Ang AKAP ay para sa lahat pamilyang Pilipino na kumikita ng minimum wage o mas mababa pa. Layunin nito na matulungan silang makaraos sa araw-araw, lalo na sa pagbili ng pagkain at at sa iba pang mahalagang gastusin,” Speaker Romualdez expressed.

“Ano po ba ang mga tulong na maaaring matanggap sa ilalim ng AKAP? Una, nagbibigay ang programang ito nang diretsong tulong pinansyal para sa pagkain at iba pang pangangailangan para sa nutrisyon,” he explained.

“Pangalawa, may tulong pinansyal din tayo para sa mga gastusin sa ospital, gamot, at iba pang pangangailangang medikal. Pangatlo, may ayuda rin para sa mga gastusin sa pagpapalibing ayon sa kaugalian ng bawat pamilya o komunidad,” he said.

Guided by the creed “Isang Araw, Isang Milyon, Isang Bayan,” the activity will be conducted in all the 334 areas nationwide, each having 3,000 beneficiaries across all sectors of society.

The 2024 budget has the biggest “ayuda” component in the history of the Philippines, and a significant change introduced by the House of Representatives for the 2024 national budget is the AKAP, envisioned to serve as protection for its beneficiaries from\ unexpected life events and effects of various economic phenomena beyond their control.

“Sa pamamagitan ng AKAP, masisiguro natin na kahit sa panahon ng krisis, walang Pilipinong maiiwan. Ito ang misyon na ibinigay sa atin ng Pangulong Marcos, Jr. Ang tiyakin na bawat Pilipino ay may maaasahang kakampi na handang umalalay sa panahon ng pangangailangan,” Speaker Romualdez said.

“Sa anumang panahon. Saan mang sulok ng bansa.”