Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, together with Quezon City 5th District Rep. Patrick Michael “PM” Vargas and Quezon City 3rd District Rep. Franz Pumaren, spearheads the distribution of Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) aid to 10,528 beneficiaries, consisting mostly of SM employees and workers of the mall’s tenants at SM Fairview in Quezon City Tuesday afternoon (Nov. 12, 2024). Following its successful launch in Metro Manila, the AKAP Mall Tour will expand to other shopping malls in the National Capital Region and eventually across the country.
The House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker Martin G. Romualdez, has officially launched the Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) Mall Tour on Nov. 12, benefitting over 53,000 mall employees and tenants’ employees in four SM Supermalls in Metro Manila who received a total of P268.5 million in financial aid.
Speaker Romualdez said the AKAP Mall Tour is in response to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s call for a whole-of-government approach to address the impact of inflation and rising costs of basic necessities and help minimum wage earners, low-income workers and those financially distressed cope with the present economic challenges.
“Ang AKAP ay sagot ng ating gobyerno sa patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin at iba pang mga pangangailangan. Ito ay isang malaking tulong para sa ating mga kababayang hirap na hirap na itaguyod ang kanilang mga pamilya, lalo na ang mga minimum wage earners at low-income workers,” Speaker Romualdez said.
The AKAP Mall Tour is designed to reach thousands of mall employees, their tenants and agency hires working in the largest shopping malls across the country. On the day of the mall tour, a total of 53,715 beneficiaries in SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa and SM Fairview were given P5,000 each under the AKAP.
According to Deputy Secretary General Sofonias Gabonada Jr., the activity not only provides financial relief to the beneficiaries but also serves as a driver for economic activity in the malls and local businesses, making sure that support reaches Filipinos who are most in need.
Gabonada said the registration process for AKAP beneficiaries is simple: eligible workers are required to register online at the Bagong Pilipinas platform and present their Bagong Pilipinas ID.
He added that scanners are deployed at mall employee entrances to validate their eligibility. Upon validation, they will receive a notification indicating their payout schedule and other documentary requirements.
Speaker Romualdez explained that the initiative is a joint effort between the national government, local officials and the private sector.
“Ang AKAP Mall Tour ay isang halimbawa ng pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan ng pamahalaan at ng pribadong sektor upang tugunan ang pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan. Lahat tayo ay nagtutulungan upang siguruhin na ang tulong ay makarating sa mga nararapat makatanggap nito,” Speaker Romualdez said.
Presently, the number of registered beneficiaries across the four participating malls has reached the following: SM Mall of Asia has 16,766 registrants, SM North EDSA has 13,632, SM Megamall has 12,789, and SM Fairview with 10,528 registrations.
These numbers are expected to grow as the tour expands nationwide, Gabonada said.
The successful implementation of the program is made possible through partnerships with local government units and various congressional offices.
In SM Fairview, Rep. Ralph Tulfo and Rep. Michael “PM” Vargas have mobilized volunteers. Meanwhile, in SM North EDSA, Rep. Arjo Atayde, Rep. Marvin Rillo and Rep. Marivic Co-Pilar have provided significant manpower to assist with the registration.
In SM Megamall, the enlistment efforts are being supported by the offices of Rep. Franz Pumaren, Rep. Roman Romulo and Rep. Neptali Gonzales II. SM Mall of Asia has seen the active involvement of Rep. Antonino Calixto and Pasay City Mayor Imelda G. Calixto-Rubiano, who both ensured smooth operations leading up to the official launch.
Speaker Romualdez expressed gratitude for the cooperation of all parties involved, emphasizing that this collaborative effort is crucial for the success of the AKAP program.
“We are grateful for the overwhelming support we’ve received from the congressional offices and local government units. Their active participation has made the registration and implementation process efficient and effective,” he noted.
Following the launch in Metro Manila, the AKAP Mall Tour will expand to other shopping malls in the region and eventually across the country. This expansion will ensure that more Filipinos can access the much-needed financial aid, contributing to their economic resilience amid challenging times.
“Patuloy tayong magsusumikap upang ang programang ito ay makaabot sa mas maraming Pilipino. Sama-sama tayong babangon at makakabangon mula sa mga pagsubok na ito. Tuloy-tuloy ang ating pagsuporta sa ating mga kababayang nangangailangan,” said Speaker Romualdez.
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