Marcos OKs 2025 AKAP funding under ‘conditional implementation’

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr. approved the 2025 funding for the Ayuda Para sa Kapos Ang Kita Program (AKAP) under conditional implementation.

In signing the P6.326 trillion 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) in a ceremony at Malacañang Palace in Manila on Monday, Marcos vetoed P194 billion in line items, which he deemed inconsistent with the administration’s priorities.

In his speech, Marcos announced that AKAP is included among the items that will be placed under conditional implementation to “ensure that the people’s funds are utilized in accordance with their authorized and stated purpose.”

He ordered that the program be carried out in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

“This way, we ensure that its implementation will be strategic, leading to the long-term improvement of the lives of qualified beneficiaries while guarding against misuse, duplication, and fragmented benefits,” Marcos said.

“This approach is anchored on a simple yet profound truth: The appropriation of public funds must not break the public trust,” he added.

The P26 billion allocation for the DSWD's AKAP program was one of the key points of debate in the 2025 national budget.

In a media briefing in Malacañang, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman explained that while the AKAP funding remains in place, it will only be disbursed once the relevant guidelines are finalized and the concerned agencies have met the requirements.

She said the issuance of guidelines is needed before funds are released.

“The AKAP cash assistance will be given to the right recipients and avoid repetition,” she added.

AKAP provides cash assistance to minimum wage earners and those classified in the near-poor segment of society.

Programs among Special Provisions under conditional implementation include the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program, Basic Infrastructure Program, Support to Foreign-Assisted Projects, Office of the Ombudsman's Payment of Retirement Benefits and Pensions, along with the Release of Payment of Retirement Benefits and Pensions, Judiciary-Supreme Court's Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses of the Lower Courts, Department of Agriculture-Office of the Secretary's Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, Use of Excess Revenue from the Total Annual Tariff Revenue from Rice Importation, Natural Disaster Risk Reduction and Management's (Calamity Fund) National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Program, Department of Finance-Bureau of Customs' Rewards and Incentives Fund, and Congress of the Philippines' Availability of Appropriations and Cash Allocations.

Out of the P194 billion vetoed by the President, P26.065 billion was allocated for projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways, while P168.240 billion was designated for unprogrammed appropriations.