Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez —House of Representatives photo
MANILA, Philippines — The administration is ready to show critics that the government’s social aid program (ayuda) has actual beneficiaries and have been issued true receipts, House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said on Wednesday.
In his speech before the House plenary, Romualdez addressed criticisms about social aid initiatives of the government—including those who claim that projects like the Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) are congressional pork—by saying that funds stay with implementing agencies.
Among the implementing agencies mentioned by Romualdez are the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Department of Health (DOH).
READ: Ex-Usec: Akap still susceptible to ‘politicking’
“To those who are against social aid, this administration is ready to show where each cent was allocated. Departments like DSWD, DOLE, and DOH handle the funds, and they run the program, not Congress,” the Speaker said.
READ: DSWD: Akap beneficiaries don’t need political backers
“All the programs here have true beneficiaries, true receipts. There is no notice of disallowance from the Commission on Audit. The work of the Congress is to ensure that the funds are intact and that they are properly delivered to beneficiaries,” he added.
According to Romualdez, the provision of social aid is important as it can be a lifeline for Filipinos during times of crisis.
These forms of assistance, the Speaker said, should not be considered charity but a form of social justice.
“As we face the daunting challenges of inflation, global conflict, and natural disasters, this House will also stand firm in defending the provision of ayuda for the people. Let me share the story of a single mother from Samar who, during the height of rising prices, relied on financial assistance to keep her children fed, and in school,” Romualdez said.
Social safety nets
“She represents millions of Filipinos whose lives have been touched by our legislative efforts. To those who doubted the importance of social safety nets, let this be a reminder: ayuda is not charity; it is justice. It is our duty to ensure that no Filipino falls through the cracks, especially in times of crisis,” he stressed.
There have been several concerns about the inclusion of social aid in the proposed 2025 national budget, as some observers believe it can be prone to politicking. On Sunday, former Finance undersecretary Cielo Magno asked if lawmakers have a role in distributing social aid — fearing that it might be used for vote-buying.
Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian however assured the public that politicians would not have a hand in implementing AKAP, as possible beneficiaries do not need to obtain a request from any government official to avail of any assistance.
Romualdez did not mention anyone in particular in his defense of the social aid, but the House committee on good government and public accountability recently discussed issues with the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd), particularly regarding the disbursement of confidential funds (CF).
Previously, it was revealed that one of the acknowledgement receipts (ARs) for OVP’s CF disbursements was signed by a Mary Grace Piattos—which Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop noted was a combined name of a famous coffee shop and a potato chips brand.
Eventually, Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong showed two CF ARs—one for OVP and another for DepEd—which were both received by a certain Kokoy Villamin. However, the signatures and handwriting of Villamin differed.
READ: House probe: OVP, DepEd CFs received by same man, different signatures
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) then said that the names Mary Grace Piattos and Kokoy Villamin do not exist within their live birth, marriage, and death registry. Furthermore, PSA said that they have no records of the more than 400 names on the ARs for the DepEd’s CFs.
Notice of disallowances were issued by COA for different transactions involving OVP and DepEd’s CFs.