MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has reaffirmed its commitment to adhering to stringent eligibility criteria for identifying beneficiaries of the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP). On Tuesday, the DSWD clarified that mere referrals from organizations, politicians, or other entities do not assure financial aid.
Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, in a radio interview, explained that potential AKAP beneficiaries must meet specific criteria, particularly those earning below the statutory minimum wage and affected by inflation. She emphasized that social workers conduct thorough assessments using intake forms to gather detailed information about applicants’ support systems, external resources, income, and family income earners.
Dumlao stressed that an endorsement does not automatically qualify someone for assistance. Applicants must still go through a process that includes presenting required documents and undergoing interviews with social workers. She reiterated that no referral guarantees aid, as the DSWD strictly follows its guidelines and processes for distributing cash assistance.
The enhanced guidelines for AKAP, developed in collaboration with the National Economic Development Authority and the Department of Labor and Employment, have been submitted to the Office of the President and the Department of Budget and Management for approval. For 2025, the program’s implementation will be conditional, pending the issuance of new, stricter guidelines as mentioned in President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s veto message when he signed the General Appropriations Act 2025 on December 30, 2024.
The AKAP aims to provide targeted social assistance and a safety net for low-income earners whose purchasing power has been diminished by inflation.