Senate panel wants removal of budget for DSWD’s AKAP

DSWD cash aid program. Photo courtesy of DSWD-7/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – The Senate Panel on Finance has recommended the deletion of the controversial Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) in the 2025 national funding.

This was based on the Committee Report on House Bill No. 10800, otherwise known as the 2025 General Appropriations Bill.

Annex B of the document’s special and general provisions states the proposed deletion of AKAP funding from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) budget.

INQUIRER.net has reached out to Senate panel on finance chairperson Sen. Grace Poe’s office to provide a categorical reason why the deletion is being recommended, but it has yet to respond as of writing.

READ: DSWD defends AKAP: ‘We don’t create magical projects’

Instead of AKAP, the document listed the following programs for DSWD:

• Sustainable Livelihood Program
• Farmers and Fisherfolks Assistance Program
• Quick Response Fund
• Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services
• Supplementary Feeding Program
• Operation and Maintenance of Bahay Pag-asa

The AKAP funding became controversial after it was linked to the signature campaign for Charter change.

Sen. Imee Marcos particularly alleged that it was one of the government grants used to lure Filipinos into participating in the so-called “fake” people’s initiative.