The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday welcomed the restoration of the budget allocated for the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).

The bicameral conference committee on Wednesday approved the final version of House of Representatives Bill 10800 or the proposed PHP6.352 trillion 2025 national budget, including the restoration of PHP26 billion allocated for AKAP.

“Wine-welcome ito ng DSWD. Kinalulugod natin yung pagpapatuloy ng implementasyon nito (The DSWD welcomes this. We are happy for the continuance of its implementation) with the assurance of budget allocation,” DSWD spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, said during the weekly DSWD Media Forum

“This would mean that the implementation of social welfare services will continue, hindi mai-interrupt (won’t be interrupted), and those who are benefiting from this program will continue to receive the necessary benefits.”

Dumlao said more than 4 million near-poor Filipinos have benefitted from the AKAP during its first year of implementation from January to October 2024.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa ating legislators sa patuloy na pagsuporta nila sa mga programang ipinatutupad ng DSWD. Kailangan lang po natin hintayin na ma-aprubahan ang GAA at kung anong budget ang nakalagay doon ay ito po ang ipatutupad natin (We would like to thank our legislators for their continued support for the programs the DSWD is implementing. We only need to wait for the approval of the General Appropriation Act. Whatever budget is in there, we will implement it,” Dumlao said.

The AKAP provides a one-time cash assistance to eligible beneficiaries whose income falls below the poverty threshold. (PNA)