The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported a successful first year of its Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), which significantly aided nearly 5 million near-poor Filipinos from January to December 2024. DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao highlighted the program’s impact, noting that it utilized PHP26.157 billion out of a PHP26.7 billion budget, achieving a 99.31 percent utilization rate.
The AKAP initiative distributed funds across the Philippines, with regions such as Cagayan Valley, Davao, and Caraga achieving full utilization of their allocations. Each eligible beneficiary received PHP5,000 in cash assistance. To be eligible, families needed to have incomes below the poverty line and not be enrolled in other government aid programs.
The program offers various forms of assistance, including medical, funeral, food, and cash relief, directly through DSWD’s Crisis Intervention Units at both central and field offices, as well as through Social Welfare and Development and Satellite Offices nationwide.
Looking ahead, the 2025 General Appropriations Act is expected to continue supporting around 5 million minimum wage earners and those living near the poverty threshold through AKAP. A meeting involving the DSWD, the Department of Labor and Employment, and the National Economic and Development Authority is planned to finalize the program’s guidelines for the upcoming year.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian emphasized that the PHP26-billion budget for AKAP is protected from political manipulation. He stressed that the selection of beneficiaries is managed by DSWD social workers, not politicians, to prevent any misuse for political gain, such as vote buying. Gatchalian also noted the importance of the verification and validation processes conducted by licensed social workers to ensure that assistance does not overlap with other DSWD programs.
The funding for AKAP is secured through the General Appropriations Act, signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., and does not include specific allocations for congressional districts or local government units. However, referrals from legislators and local executives are considered according to existing DSWD guidelines.