THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) warns the public against “false information” about the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) spreading on social media.
“The Department received reports on various social media posts from online groups and pages that contain announcements aimed to misinform the public about the programs and services of the Department, specifically the AKAP program,” DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao said in a statement.
“We would like to reiterate that AKAP is a social safety net provided to those under the low-income category or those whose income does not exceed the statutory minimum wage,” Dumlao added.
The General Appropriations Act of 2024, specifically through Special Provision No. 3 of the DSWD budget, has allocated P26.7 billion to fund the AKAP program. The funding was intended to provide financial assistance to minimum wage earners classified as low-income individuals significantly affected by rising inflation.
Based on the DSWD Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 4, series of 2024, which Secretary Rex Gatchalian signed on February 26, eligible beneficiaries under the AKAP may receive cash assistance of P1,000 to P10,000, depending on assessments conducted by DSWD social workers.
Support will be provided for assistance exceeding P10,000 through a Guarantee Letter approved by the DSWD Secretary.
Individuals receiving regular assistance from other DSWD programs are not eligible for any form of aid under the AKAP. This includes households enrolled in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and indigent senior citizens who receive a monthly social pension of P1,000.
“Beneficiaries who receive aids such as food, medical, funeral, and cash relief under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) must comply with the rules on aid frequency and limitations set by AKAP,” Dumlao explained.
AKAP can be implemented directly through the Crisis Intervention Units/Sections (CIU/S) of the DSWD at both central and field offices, or through the Social Welfare and Development Satellite Offices (SWAD Offices) across the country.
Alternatively, if they are capable, AKAP can also be implemented in partnership with local government units (LGUs) at the provincial, municipal, city, or barangay level.
For LGUs leading the AKAP distribution, a memorandum of agreement between the LGU and the DSWD is required, as provided for in MC 4, series of 2024.
This agreement stipulates that LGUs will be fully responsible for the proper use and disbursement of the funds.
It is important to note that these funds cannot be transferred to other LGUs, Dumlao said.
Fund liquidation must adhere to the guidelines specified in COA Circular 94-013.
LGUs with unliquidated cash advances with the DSWD are not eligible for fund transfers.
“We would like to remind the public, especially our beneficiaries, to verify their online information sources and engage only with legitimate platforms. These include official government websites and verified social media pages, such as the official DSWD Facebook page (https://web.facebook.com/dswdserves),” Dumlao said.
