Residents receive relief goods from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Baao, Mauban, Quezon on May 27, 2024, a day after typhoon Aghon ravaged the area. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA – No barangay official is involved in providing the list of Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) beneficiaries, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has said. 

In a statement, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said that "nowhere in the AKAP guidelines are barangay officials empowered to make the list of beneficiaries who will receive the cash assistance from the agency."

Gatchalian also maintained this was not a form of pork barrel as alleged by critics.

"Any good Samaritan can refer potential beneficiaries and the barangay has nothing to do with AKAP based on our existing guidelines," said the DSWD chief. 

"Let me reiterate that all the DSWD's Field Offices across the country serve people in need, whether they are walk-in clients or were referred to by local government unit (LGU) officials. DSWD social workers process applications for AKAP and they determine the amount of aid to qualified beneficiaries," he added. 

According to Gatchalian, lawmakers and local officials could only "refer potential aid recipients." 

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

Despite this though, DSWD's social workers were still responsible for the vetting of beneficiaries based on the program's guidelines. 

"The original intention of the AKAP program is to protect the minimum wage earners and near-poor Filipinos from the effects of inflation that erode their buying power. It is intended to provide a menu of assistance for goods and services that are affected by high inflation depending on the needs of the individuals," he said. 

AKAP beneficiaries can receive P2,000-P10,000, with a holdout period of three months, the agency earlier said. 

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

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