DBM PRESS RELEASE
08 JANUARY 2025
DBM Secretary Mina Pangandaman supports safeguards against misuse of Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program
Amid allegations that the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) may be exploited for election campaigning, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah “Mina” F. Pangandaman assured the public that safety measures are being put in place to prevent political abuse and ensure the program serves its intended beneficiaries.
“‘Yung idea po ng AKAP nung una nilang nilabas ‘yan is to combat inflation. Naisip ng Congress na magbigay tulong doon sa mga kababayan po natin na hindi kaya makapag-afford ng pagkain. We need to balance kung ano ba talaga 'yung intention ng Kongreso para dito sa AKAP na ‘to,” mentioned Secretary Mina during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay Forum held earlier today, 8 January 2025.
On December 30, 2024, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr. approved the 2025 National Budget but placed AKAP under Conditional Implementation. The ₱26 billion set aside for AKAP will only be disbursed after clear guidelines are put in place to ensure proper use of the funds.
The program’s implementation guidelines is now being drafted, and shall be released by the DSWD, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
“I think merong isang provision doon sa draft na nakita ko na pinagbabawal maglagay ng mga tarpaulin, mukha, stickers ng mga politiko 'pag namigay ng social assistance. I support that. Tulad ng sabi ng Presidente, nakikinig po tayo sa gusto ng ating mga kababayan,” she further said.
“Sa akin po, dapat makarating siya sa tamang beneficiaries. I know that Sec. Rex [Gatchalian] is looking into it. Hindi po siya parang raffle,” said the Budget Secretary, emphasizing the most important consideration for the aid.
