MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Lawmakers believe that while the controversial Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (Akap) has room for improvement, it is an important government program as it not only helps people cope with high prices but also stimulates the economy.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, in a press briefing on Monday, explained that there may be adjustments that have to be made to the Akap, but handing financial aid directly to the people strengthens their purchasing power and, in effect, helps businesses earn more.
鈥淭his aid has been done for a long time by the government; we鈥檙e just trying to improve that. We鈥檙e not saying that the Akap is perfect; there will always [be] room for adjustment. That鈥檚 why we are really trying to really improve the services to the people so that they can feel that the government is working for them,鈥� Adiong told reporters at the Batasang Pambansa complex.
鈥淲hat they are saying about the ayuda being necessary is because it goes directly to the pocket of the people, and then it will strengthen the purchasing power of these individuals, these people, as part [of] the consumer, that in effect it will contribute positively to the local economy, which in effect is good,鈥� he added.
Adiong and other lawmakers were asked about the Akap, in relation to a survey from polling firm Octa Research, which showed that 69 percent of respondents鈥攐r seven out of 10鈥攚ant the program to extend while 31 percent are against it.
READ: Most Filipinos want Akap to expand, continue 鈥� Octa
According to Manila Rep. Ernesto Dionisio Jr., those against these poverty-alleviating programs would not go away, especially if they have 鈥渧ested interests.鈥�
鈥淧eople who oppose it would not stop, especially if they have [a] vested interest. But what is important is, just like what we have said several times, that the government aid has been present, not only during this administration. It has always been there,鈥� Dionisio said.
READ: Workers earning no more than P23,000 monthly to get P5,000 aid 鈥� House
鈥淚t鈥檚 a way to directly help the people who need it鈥攁s long as the funds [quickly reach the] appropriate target, we should just allow the government to help the people,鈥� he added.
Adiong meanwhile said that since the number of people who agree with the Akap is high, it is an affirmation of the program鈥檚 effectiveness.
鈥淎ctually, we鈥檙e making true to our promise; this administration said it will bring government services closer to the people. That number according to the survey, 7 out of 10, that鈥檚 high already,鈥� he said.
鈥淎part from the desire to support the people, this survey also speaks about the program鈥檚 effectiveness. Because this means the people directly get the aid, the system of releasing it is effective.)
Akap was first introduced in December 2023, when lawmakers were crafting the budget for 2024.
In an ambush interview on the sidelines of the bicameral conference committee hearing last December 13, 2023, former House appropriations committee chair and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co explained that the Akap will be the government鈥檚 instrument in fighting inflation by equipping near-poor workers with means to buy goods.
Controversy followed Akap when the President鈥檚 sister, Senator Imee Marcos, claimed that the Senate was not aware of the provisions creating the program. House Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales then clarified that senators, including Marcos, actually signed the page containing the provisions for Akap鈥攚hich means that they have checked the page.
Eventually, Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo admitted that the Akap was his brainchild, saying that he thought of the program when he was still DSWD secretary.
Under the 2025 national budget signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last Monday, P26 billion was allocated for Akap. According to the Department of Budget and Management, Akap will be placed under 鈥渃onditional implementation,鈥� which means that there will be guidelines issued before programs and projects are implemented.
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, however, claimed that House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez was facilitating the release of the Akap funds and other government aid programs. However, Baguio City Rep. Mark Go disputed Magalong鈥檚 accusations, saying that there is no truth to such claims.
According to Go, the role of lawmakers in government aid programs is limited, as they only facilitate these programs and projects that are implemented by the executive.
Co also previously said that Akap is not a pork barrel or a discretionary fund because it is the DSWD that handles the funds and organizes distribution to recipients.