Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian reiterated on Friday, Dec. 13 that the agency is the sole implementer of the “Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program” or AKAP—a one-time cash assistance program for eligible beneficiaries whose income falls below the poverty threshold.
“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 (The entire P26 billion amount will be implemented solely by DSWD. It will not be handled by politicians or public servants. This is DSWD’s fund, and every cent will go through a thorough review by our social workers),” Gatchalian said in a Teleradyo Serbisyo interview.
On Dec. 11, the bicameral conference committee, composed of congressmen and senators, approved the restoration of the P26 billion AKAP allocation in the 2025 national budget.
Gatchalian further explained that the potential beneficiaries of AKAP are assessed individually by DSWD social workers before any cash aid is provided.
“Tulad ng ipinaliwanag ko kanina, everything goes to a social worker’s case intake. Iniisa-isa nila ‘yan (As I explained earlier, everything goes through a social worker’s case intake. They process each one individually),” he said.
The DSWD chief also pointed out that AKAP differs from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the agency’s flagship poverty alleviation program, in terms of target beneficiaries and objectives.
“Ang AKAP ay ibinibigay kapag may pangangailangan, hindi yung katulad ng 4Ps na regular na natatanggap dahil kailangan ka naming iahon sa kahirapan (AKAP is provided when there is a need, unlike 4Ps, which is regularly given because it is meant to lift you out of poverty),” Gatchalian said.
“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 (4Ps is for those with no income. The beneficiaries of 4Ps are the poorest of the poor. Additionally, 4Ps is recurring, monthly, and has conditions),” he added.