Department of Social Welfare and Development 11 Assistant Regional Director for Operations Merlinda Paragamac assured on Friday that DSWD assistance will not be exploited by politicians in the upcoming 2025 midterm local and national elections.
Paragamac said DSWD will implement Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displace (TUPAD), and Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) according to the guidelines.
”Rest assured that we implement the program according to the set of guidelines of AKAP and AICS particularly,” said Paragamac during the Kapihan sa PIA at NCCC Victoria Plaza.
The DSWD confirmed that it applies a strict verification and validation process for clients who seek financial assistance, even the referrals from legislators and other local government unit (LGU) officials.
Among DSWD’s programs, AKAP is the most controversial as there were allegations that it is being used by some politicians in preparation for the upcoming elections.
The AKAP provides one-time cash assistance between P3,000 and P5,000 to eligible beneficiaries.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian also dismissed claims that the two major protective services program, the AICS and the AKAP, were being politicized.
Gatchalian reiterated 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 LGU officials.
The main legal basis of (AKAP) is two “General Appropriation Act of 2024, Special Provision No. 3, DSWD Budget,” which authorized the funding for the program. The act mandated that an amount of P26.7 billion shall be used to implement the program.
Meanwhile, Paragamac said the launch and implementation of AKAP in the Davao Region is designed to address and support individuals and families who were struggling to make ends
meet.
She said the program delivers much needed relief to alleviate the burden of daily expenses of every family who were greatly affected by rising inflation.
