Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian reiterated that the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) is a significant initiative allowing low-income earners, or the "near-poor" sector, to benefit from the government’s social protection services.

“Itong AKAP kasi, social protection ‘to, trabaho ng estado yan — na pangalagaan ang kanyang mga mamamayan at hindi na sapat na ang pinangangalagaan lang natin yung mga mahihirap. We expanded na pati yung mga low-income or yung near-poor kung tawagin, napo-proteksyunan na rin natin (This AKAP program is about social protection — it's the responsibility of the state to take care of its citizens. It's no longer enough to only look after the poorest. We've expanded it to also protect those who are low-income or what we call the near-poor),” Secretary Gatchalian said in an interview aired over PTV’s noontime program, Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon last Monday, 13 January.

The DSWD chief emphasized that AKAP plays a vital role in providing safety nets for the near-poor sector, ensuring they do not fall back into poverty due to economic shocks like inflation.

Gatchalian shared that over five million individuals benefited from the AKAP program in 2024, helping to mitigate the impact of rising prices on goods and commodities among recipients.

“Alam naman natin last year sa hindi naman ginu-gusto ng kahit sino, it happened worldwide, tumaas ‘yung presyo ng bilihin, inflation. So, at least, natulungan natin sila na mabigyan ng proteksyon sa ganitong mga panahon (We all know that last year, something no one wanted happened worldwide — the prices of goods increased, inflation. So at least, we were able to help provide them with protection during these time),” Gatchalian explained.

For 2025, AKAP is set for conditional implementation, subject to the issuance of new and stricter guidelines, as outlined in President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s veto message when he signed the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for 2025 last December 30.

“Bagamat pina-finalize pa namin ‘yung guidelines with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), ‘yung AKAP maganda siyang programa, maraming natulungan. Ang gusto lang ng Pangulo may safety nets laban sa misuse, sabi nga niya sa veto message niya (Although we are still finalizing the guidelines with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), the AKAP is a good program that has helped many. The President just wants to ensure there are safety nets against misuse, as he mentioned in his veto message),” Gatchalian pointed out.

Among the safeguards stressed by the President is the establishment of a grievance mechanism to enhance monitoring and ensure proper implementation of the program. This includes stricter guidelines prohibiting the presence of political figures during AKAP payout activities.

“Ayaw rin natin siyang magamit sa politika. Kaya nga ang utos ng Pangulo ipagbawal ang mga tarpaulin, at mga present na politiko. So, yan nilalagay na rin natin sa guidelines (We also don’t want it to be used for politics. That’s why the President has ordered a ban on tarpaulins and the involvement of current politicians. This is something we are also including in the guidelines),” Gatchalian said.