House Speaker Martin Romualdez launched the Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) Mall Tour on Tuesday, benefitting over 53,000 mall employees and tenants’ employees in four large SM Supermalls in Metro Manila.
The activity enabled the House leader and fellow lawmakers present to deliver a total of P268.5 million in financial aid to qualified beneficiaries.
Romualdez said the AKAP Mall Tour is in response to President Ferdinand 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.
“AKAP is our government’s answer to the constant increase in the price of goods and other needs. This is a great help for our countrymen who struggle to support their families, especially minimum wage earners and low-income workers,” the Speaker said.
The AKAP Mall Tour was 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 received P5,000 each under the AKAP program.
According to Deputy Secretary General Sofonias Gabonada, 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.
Romualdez explained that the initiative is a joint effort between the national government, local officials, and the private sector.
“The AKAP Mall Tour is an example of unity and cooperation between the government and the private sector to meet the needs of our countrymen. We are all working together to ensure that aid reaches those who deserve it,” Romualdez said.
As of Tuesday, the number of registered beneficiaries across the four participating malls reached the following: SM Mall of Asia – 16,766; SM North EDSA – 13,632; SM Megamall – 12,789; and SM Fairview – 10,528.
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.
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.
