House to defend fund for poor, minimum-wage earners – Romualdez
Metro Manila, Philippines — The House of Representatives will seek to reinstate the cash aid for the poor in next year’s budget that was scrapped by the Senate, Speaker Martin Romualdez said on Thursday, Nov. 21.
Romualdez said lawmakers are ready to defend the P39.8 billion for the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) in the bicameral conference committee that would reconcile differences in the budget bills.
A Department of Social Welfare and Development program (DSWD), AKAP benefits minimum wage earners, poor, near-poor, and those in the informal economy. It provides a one-time cash assistance of P3,000 to P5,000.
“AKAP is not just a safety net, it is a lifeline for millions of Filipino families teetering on the edge of poverty,” Romualdez said in a statement.
“This initiative has proven its value by providing immediate relief to struggling households, empowering them to weather economic challenges, and ensuring their resilience against inflation and other shocks,” he added.
Romualdez said the program assists about four million “near-poor” beneficiaries nationwide.
The Senate committee on finance has scrapped the AKAP item in the budget.
Senator Imee Marcos, the cousin of the speaker, said it would be better if the AKAP and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation - also of the DSWD - were merged to increase the aid.
She also said there is more to providing temporary relief.
“Kailangang palawakin natin ang kanilang mga pagkakataong makahanap ng trabaho o mamuhunan sa sariling hanapbuhay. Hindi naman tamad ang Pilipino—kailangan lang nila ng tulong at inspirasyon para makabangon. Hindi lamang ayuda ang sagot, kundi tunay na pag-asa para makaahon sa kahirapan," Marcos said in a separate statement.
[Translation: We have to expand their opportunities to find a job or start a livelihood. Filipinos are not lazy – they just need help and inspiration to recover. Aid is not the only answer, but hope that they can rise from poverty.]
