Some government leaders defended the P26 billion budget for a program called AKAP (Ayuda Para sa Kapos sa Kita Program) in 2025. People had accused the program of being a political tool to win votes before the May 2025 elections. But leaders say that’s not true. They explained AKAP is meant to help “near-poor families”—those who aren’t very poor but could easily slip into poverty if they face big problems, like sickness or job loss.
What is AKAP? Who Does It Help?
AKAP is a program designed to give financial help to hardworking families who need support when things go wrong.
- Representative Jayjay Suarez said:
“Families can quickly become poor when they face problems. Why assume something bad about AKAP?”
- Suarez explained that in the past, the government helped the very poorest families, but those who are just above poverty often get forgotten. AKAP gives these families a chance to stay afloat and not become poor.
- Representative Jude Acidre agreed, saying:
“If we help hardworking citizens, the economy grows.”
- He said AKAP is similar to a program in Thailand where people get cash aid to boost their country’s economy.
No Politics Involved
Some critics said lawmakers might use AKAP to win votes unfairly. But leaders, like Representative Raul Bongalon, explained that lawmakers have no control over who gets the aid.
- The DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) is in charge of picking who gets help.
- Social workers carefully check if families truly need the money.
- Bongalon also mentioned a Supreme Court decision in 2013 that stops lawmakers from handing out funds directly.
He explained:
“We can only tell DSWD where people need help. Lawmakers don’t decide who gets the money.”
Not Everyone Agrees
Some lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc still criticized AKAP. They believe the money should go to other important needs like healthcare and education.
They asked:
“Why are funds for schools, health, and other services being cut?”
Budget Changes for 2025
While AKAP is getting P26 billion, other programs lost funding:
- The Education Department’s computerization program had its budget reduced because a lot of money from last year wasn’t used.
- The PhilHealth subsidy of P74.43 billion was removed. PhilHealth, the country’s health insurance program, already has a reserve fund of P600 billion.
In short, House leaders said AKAP is not a political tool but a program to help hardworking families avoid poverty. Critics, however, want the funds used for other services like schools and healthcare.
