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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Garin's appeal: Stop 'crab mentality' on AKAP

Garin's appeal: Stop 'crab mentality' on AKAP

Published Jul 24, 2025 11:47 pm

At A Glance

  • Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin thinks that the criticisms being hurled at the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP)--which facilitated millions worth of aid to congressional districts stricken by the recent typhoons and floods--stems from Filipinos' "crab mentality".
Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)


Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin thinks that the criticisms being hurled at the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP)--which facilitated millions worth of aid to congressional districts stricken by the recent typhoons and floods--stems from Filipinos' "crab mentality".
And if she can have her way, it should stop, 
“Ang tugon ng Bagong Pilipinas ay agad-agad serbisyo sa taongbayan (The response of Bagong Pilipinas is immediate service to the people)," Garin said in a virtual press conference Thursday, July 24 as she defended AKAP.
"Ang hindi ko maintindihan, bakit natin kailangan sirain ang isang programa na maganda… ang sagot doon ay crab mentality (What I don't understand is, why do we have to sully the name of a good program...the answer to that is crab mentality),” she said.
Garin gave these remarks a day after she credited AKAP for "empowering" the solons of 42 flood-stricken districts all over the country in helping their constituents.
The 42 congressional districts are from Metro Manila and Rizal, with the constituents of Reps. Mia Ynares, Dino Tanjuatco, Jojo Garcia, Tom Hernandez, Ronnie Puno, and Romeo Acop added to the list of the original 36 districts earlier identified by former House Speaker, Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez.
Some P10 million for each district were set aside by the offices of Romualdez and Tingog Party-list under AKAP.
With weather disturbances halting the work of jeepney drivers, public school teachers, daycare workers and household staff, Garin said AKAP offered needed relief. 
The Visayan pointed out that unlike older subsidy schemes, AKAP requires proof of employment. This is a way to ensure that government aid reaches working individuals whose income is not enough. 
“Dapat hindi ka tamad, dapat nagtatrabaho ka, dapat kulang ang kita mo (You must not be lazy, you must be working, and that you're not earning enough). Why are we going to stop that?” she asked, as she rued the attacks on the program.
Garin said that criticism often drowned out the truth about AKAP’s usefulness. 
“Nalunod ‘yung boses ng katotohanan dun sa ibang mga fake news… just because they don’t want others to succeed. Ako bilang Pilipino… dapat ihinto natin ang crab mentality na yan (The voice of truth got drowned out by fake news… just because they don’t want others to succeed. As a Filipino...I’m saying we need to put an end to this crab mentality)," she said.
As if throwing her hands up in the air, Garin added: “Kapag may problema takbuhan natin ang AKAP. Kapag walang problema, sisiraan natin. Hindi ko talaga maintindihan (When there's a problem, we run to AKAP for help. When there isn’t, we start tearing it down. I really don’t get it)."
She said the program benefits three sectors: underpaid workers, employers who rely on them, and taxpayers whose funds are better targeted. 
“Napupunta sa tamang nangangailangan ang taxpayers' money (Taxpayers’ money goes to those who truly need it)... We are helping those who are helping themselves,” she explained.
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