Lawmaker defends AKAP funds, stresses aid to lower-income Filipinos

Children play near the breakwater at the BASECO Compound in Tondo, Manila on July 7, 2022. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file

MANILA — Amid accusations that Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) funds will be allegedly "politicized" by officials in the upcoming elections, a lawmaker on Saturday defended the program, saying it is meant to help poor families.

House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur explained that AKAP even values the contribution of Filipino low-income earners to the economy.

"It [AKAP] is a social welfare program indicated to directly address the issue on income per family household, those below, those who are in the struggling family — to provide assistance to them directly," he mentioned on an interview on Teleradyo Serbisyo.

AKAP beneficiaries can receive P2,000-P10,000, with a holdout period of three months, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Adiong said the program eyes to support low-income families who do not earn enough for their monthly needs.

"The volume of families who have been struggling this year to finance [their] familie,  unfortunately — these are the people na nagko-contribute sa ating ekonomiya at their own little way na kinakailangan ng tulong (who contribute to the economy in their own little way but need a little help)," he said.

This comes after Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa alleged Friday that AKAP and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) had their budgets increased while government subsidy to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. was removed because these are "politicized" for the upcoming 2025 elections.

Vice President Sara Duterte made similar claims last month, saying politicians will use the social welfare programs to supposedly "buy votes".

DSWD denies P26 billion AKAP funds is pork barrel

The AKAP program has earned criticism for potentially being a "pork barrel" fund for legislators similar to the unconstitutional and since scrapped Priority Development Assistance Fund.

Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian said that the AKAP funds do not go to lawmakers but to the department.

“‘Yung buong amount na P26 billion, lahat ‘yan DSWD ang magpapatupad. Hindi pulitiko o public servants. Hindi ‘yan matatawag na pork barrel o pondo ng kahit sino. Pondo ‘yan ng DSWD,” he said.

(The entire P26 billion, all of that is implemented by DSWD. Not by politicians. That cannot be called pork barrel. Those are DSWD funds)

The Supreme Court declared pork barrel unconstitutional in 2013 for allowing lawmakers to intervene in project implementation.

Gatchalian earlier stood firm that politicians will have no influence over the fund release, and they can't also attend the AKAP aid distribution.

“Call pa rin ng social worker kung bibigyan at kung magkano. Masisira ang pulitiko kapag sinabi niyang sagot ko ito tapos sasabihin ng social worker wala sa listahan ng mga pangangailangan, hindi namin bibigyan,” he explained.

(It is still the social workers' call in the end. A politician would be embarrassed if they promise funding but a social worker will say the person endorsed is not on the list. We will not release money)

He said DSWD will seek exemption from the Commission on Elections to continue to release AKAP benefits during the election period.

Senator Imee Marcos Marcos, who recommended the deletion of the AKAP allocation earlier, said the program is not a priority of the administration.

Sen. Marcos: AKAP financial aid program not an admin priority