Erice eyes transformation of ‘ayuda’ to biz startup funds
Egay Erice on Facebook
Daily TribuneEgay Erice on Facebook
Caloocan City 2nd District Congressman-elect Edgar “Egay” Erice said one of his priority bills in Congress is to convert financial aid for the poor into business capital.
He said the current financial aid distributed through the Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) is given out like alms, and that converting it into small business capital would improve more lives by creating opportunities.
"I will try to file a bill amending the General Appropriations Act, and I want to change it so that instead of 'ayuda' or AKAP, it becomes small capital for small businesses. That way, it won’t just help one person—it will benefit the whole barangay by creating jobs," Erice said.
The lawmaker added that he wants to prioritize the amendment since it is "immediate" and “within the budget."
"It’s already in the budget, so it would be a waste if the government’s program stays the same in the coming months. We should also provide knowledge, business skills, and values formation," he said.
"This became a priority because people have gotten used to relying on aid. Instead of dreaming of a better life, they’ve come to depend solely on government assistance," Erice stressed.
AKAP was created through the General Appropriations Act of 2024, via a special provision in the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) budget.
Under DSWD Memorandum Circular No. 4, Series of 2024, individuals must belong to the low-income category—such as those earning below the statutory minimum wage—to qualify as AKAP beneficiaries.
Last March, various groups—including Sambayan Coalition, Sanlakas, and Advocates for National Interest—urged the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the AKAP implementation, claiming it had become a “congressional pork barrel” since lawmakers can influence how the budget is implemented.
A known critic of political dynasties, the congressman-elect said that aside from reforming financial assistance programs, he will also re-file his Anti-Political Dynasty bill and Anti-Turncoatism bill.