HOUSE appropriations committee chairman Rep. Zaldy Co today (13 February 2024) firmly denied claims that the assistance intended for ‘near-poor’, low-income families called Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP) Program, is being redirected towards a charter change signature drive.
Co issued the statement in response to allegations by Senator Imee Marcos regarding the alleged misuse of funds allocated by Congress for AKAP beneficiaries that include construction workers, factory workers, grab drivers, food service crew and the like.
Announced by the House of Representatives last November, Co said the AKAP Program was specifically designed to provide a one-time, P5,000 cash assistance to Filipino families affected by the global inflation and the surge in commodity prices.
Outlined in the 2024 budget, AKAP earmarks P50 billion for direct support to families earning less than P23,000 monthly, ensuring that those not covered by the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) due to their income bracket, receive necessary aid.
“Dinudungisan po ni Senador Imee Marcos ang malinis na intensyon ng AKAP na tulungan ang mga kababayan nating may trabaho ngunit kapos ang kita. Taumbayan na po ang bahalang humusga sa kanyang pamumulitika sa isang programang pantulong sa mahirap,” Co stressed.
The appropriations committee chair assured the public that Senator Marcos’ allegations are unfounded and that the AKAP funds will be distributed strictly in accordance with the provisions set forth in the 2024 General Appropriations Act. “Congress stands by its commitment to enhance government support for Filipinos, particularly those impacted by the economic challenges posed by global inflation and ongoing geopolitical tensions,” he added.
