AKAP budget, ilalaban

NANGAKO si Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez na ilalaban ng kamara ang paglalaan ng pondo sa Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 2025 budget.

Mahigit sa apat na milyong “near poor” Pilipino sa buong bansa ang apektado nito.

“AKAP is not just a safety net; it is a lifeline for millions of Filipino families teetering on the edge of poverty. This initiative has proven its value by providing immediate relief to struggling households, empowering them to weather economic challenges, and ensuring their resilience against inflation and other shocks,” anang speaker.

Ang programa ay maglalaan ng one-time cash assistance na P3,000-P5,000 sa mga kuwalipikadong beneficiaries na ang kita ay mababa sa poverty threshold at hindi sakop ng alinmang government aid programs.

Ayon pa kay Romualdez, nasa mahigit sa 589,000 pamilya sa National Capital Region (NCR) ang nakinabang sa AKAP bukod pa sa iba pang benepisaryo mula sa iba pang mga rehiyon na nabiyayaan ng P20.7 billion sa P26.7 billion allocation.

“Programs like AKAP demonstrate what effective government intervention looks like. It stabilizes households, strengthens communities, and contributes to the country’s overall economic resilience. Cutting its funding would be a disservice to the millions who rely on this vital assistance,” dagdag nito.

Nanawagan pa ang speaker sa senado na ikunsidera ang panukalang i- defund ang AKAP.

“We stand with Secretary Gatchalian in urging our colleagues in the Senate to uphold the AKAP budget. This is about ensuring that no Filipino family falls back into poverty because of insufficient support. The House of Representatives is ready to champion this cause in the bicameral discussions if necessary,” ani Romualdez. (Vina de Guzman)