House Speaker Martin Romualdez distributes financial aid to mall workers at SM Fairview in Quezon City (PPAB)

House officials headed by Speaker Martin Romualdez went mall-hopping on Tuesday, Nov. 12, but it wasn't for a mere stroll. 

Instead, Romualdez led the official launch of the Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) Mall Tour at four SM Supermalls in Metro Manila.

A total of P268.5 million in financial aid was doled out, benefiting 53,000 mall employees and tenants’ employees in the process.

Romualdez said the AKAP Mall Tour was held in response to President Marcos' call for a whole-of-government approach to address the impact of inflation and rising costs of basic necessities and help minimum wage earners, low-income workers and those financially distressed cope with the present economic challenges.

"Ang AKAP ay sagot ng ating gobyerno sa patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin at iba pang mga pangangailangan. Ito ay isang malaking tulong para sa ating mga kababayang hirap na hirap na itaguyod ang kanilang mga pamilya, lalo na ang mga minimum wage earners at low-income workers," said the Speaker, arguably President Marcos' top lieutenant in the government.  

(The AKAP is the government’s answer to the continued rise in the prices of goods and basic necessities. This is a big help to our countrymen who struggle to provide for their families, especially minimum wage earners and low-income workers.)

The AKAP Mall Tour is designed to reach thousands of mall employees, their tenants and agency hires working in the largest shopping malls across the country. 

On the day of the mall tour, a total of 53,715 beneficiaries in SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa and SM Fairview were given P5,000 each under the AKAP of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Deputy Secretary General Sofonias Gabonada Jr. says the activity not only provides financial relief to the beneficiaries but also serves as a driver for economic activity in the malls and local businesses. 

Gabonada says the registration process for AKAP beneficiaries is simple: eligible workers are required to register online at the Bagong Pilipinas platform and present their Bagong Pilipinas ID. 

He added that scanners are deployed at mall employee entrances to validate their eligibility. Upon validation, they will receive a notification indicating their payout schedule and other documentary requirements.

Speaker Romualdez expressed gratitude for the cooperation of all parties involved, emphasizing that this collaborative effort is crucial for the success of the AKAP program. 

"We are grateful for the overwhelming support we’ve received from the congressional offices and local government units. Their active participation has made the registration and implementation process efficient and effective,” he noted.

Following the launch in Metro Manila, the AKAP Mall Tour will expand to other shopping malls in the region and eventually across the country. This expansion will ensure that more Filipinos can access the much-needed financial aid, contributing to their economic resilience amid challenging times, the Speaker said.