The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has announced that its Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) will focus specifically on Filipinos earning below the minimum wage, as part of a revised set of guidelines.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Thursday, March 27 explained that the adjustment is in line with President Marcos’ veto message upon signing the General Appropriations Act of 2025.

The new guidelines replace the previous “low income” classification with a more specific target—workers earning below the minimum wage.

“Dati kasi last year, ang term na ginamit sa special provision was low income. So, ngayon, mas defined siya as below minimum wage. Mas manipis siya dahil kung matatandaan niyo dun sa veto message ng pangulo, nakalagay doon below minimum wage. So, ang mag ka-qualify, ang mga mamamayan na below minimum wage,” Gatchalian said.

(Last year, the term used in the special provision was low income. Now, it is more defined as below minimum wage. It is more specific because, as you may recall from the President's veto message, it states below minimum wage. So, those who will qualify are people earning below the minimum wage).

The revised AKAP guidelines now aims to provide assistance to approximately 5 million workers falling within this category. These individuals will be eligible for a variety of financial aid, including medical, funeral, food, and cash relief.

Under the revised guidelines, Gatchalian said the names of beneficiaries receiving financial assistance through AKAP will be posted on the official DSWD website and its social media platforms to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.

Gatchalian further noted that the new guidelines were developed with input from the National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Labor and Employment. The collaboration of these agencies helped shape the program’s implementation through a memorandum circular.

The DSWD chief also emphasized that the revised guidelines are designed to minimize the risk of political interference, particularly as the midterm elections approach.

“Sisiguraduhin namin na dapat in the conduct of the payouts — kasi yung nagiging issue eh, diba? — walang politiko. And we will make sure na wala rin dapat yung materyales nila doon,” he pointed out.

(We will make sure that during the conduct of the payouts — because that's the issue, right? — there will be no politicians. And we will ensure that there will be no campaign materials from them there).

Since its launch in 2024, AKAP has provided significant support to nearly 5 million near-poor Filipinos. 

With a total of P26.157 billion allocated, the program has nearly utilized its entire budget, with a utilization rate of 99.31 percent from the P26.7 billion budget allocation for 2024.