Caloocan solon eyes ‘ayuda’ as business funds

Congressman-elect Edgar ‘Egay’ Erice of Caloocan City’s Second District said Thursday that a priority bill in the upcoming Congress would aim to convert financial aid for the poor into capital for small businesses.

Erice stated that the current financial aid distributed through the Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) is akin to handouts. He believes that transforming this aid into seed money for small businesses would create more opportunities and improve the lives of a greater number of people.

“I will try to file a bill amending the General Appropriations Act, and I would like to amend that instead of ‘ayuda’ or AKAP, it would be a small capital for small businesses. In that case, it will help not just one person, but the barangay because of the jobs it will create,” Erice said.

The incoming lawmaker emphasized that he wants to prioritize this amendment because it is “immediate” and “within the budget.”

“It’s already in the budget, so it would be a waste if the government’s program remains the same in the coming months. We should also provide knowledge, business skills  and values formation,” he added.

Erice explained that this initiative has become a priority because some people have grown accustomed to relying on aid instead of aspiring for a better life and have become solely dependent on government assistance.

AKAP was established through a special provision in the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) budget under the General Appropriations Act of 2024. DSWD Memorandum Circular No. 4, Series of 2024, stipulates that beneficiaries must belong to the low-income category, with incomes not exceeding the statutory minimum wage.

Last March, various groups, including Sambayan Coalition, Sanlakas, and Advocates for National Interest, urged the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order on the AKAP implementation, labeling it as a “congressional pork barrel” due to the involvement of members of Congress in the budget’s implementation.

Erice, a known critic of political dynasties, added that in addition to redeveloping financial assistance, he also intends to refile his Anti-Political Dynasty bill and Anti-Turncoatism bill.