AKAP para sa mga minimum-wage earners in CAR. DSWD FO CAR Regional Director Marie C. Aplaten (2nd from right), and DSWD FO CAR Assistant RD for Operations Enrique H. Gascon, Jr. (1st from left) during the ceremonial turnover of assistance to beneficiaries from Baguio City during the launching of the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) on May 18, 2024 in the PFVR Gym, Baguio City.” 

Baguio City—As part of the government’s efforts to protect minimum wage earners from economic challenges posed by inflation, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office–Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD FO CAR) released a total of P17.2M in financial assistance which benefitted 5,226 individuals and families in the region during the launch of the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program or AKAP on 18 May 2024.

The beneficiaries who received PhP3,000.00 each included 227 in Apayao; 2,140 in Baguio City; 772 in Benguet; 672 in Ifugao; and 1,415 in Kalinga. Residents from Abra and Mt. Province are yet to receive their cash aid as they still undergo deduplication to ensure they are not enrolled under the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) or the Social Pension for Senior Citizens.

DSWD-CAR Regional Director (RD) Maria C. Aplaten spearheaded the distribution at the President Fidel V. Ramos Gymnasium in Baguio City as well as at the Benguet Sports Complex Gymnasium in La Trinidad, Benguet, in sync with the national simultaneous launch of the program. Dir. Aplaten, DSWD-CAR Assistant RD for Operations Enrique H. Gascon, Jr. and the team from the DSWD -CAR – Crisis Intervention Section and the different provincial Social Welfare and Development (SWAD)- Offices facilitated the event, which was held in close coordination with the respective Offices of the District Representatives of the Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Baguio City.

In her message, RD Aplaten assured the DSWD-CAR’s continuous support towards those belonging to the vulnerable sector such as vendors, gardeners, cashiers, janitors, salon and sales ladies, and security guards, among others.

“Sa panahon ngayon, pag ating isinalang-alang ang presyo ng mga bilihin at pabago-bago na estado ng ekonomiya, hindi nagiging sapat ang 430 pesos na kasalukuyang Minimum Wage sa rehiyon para sa mga gastusin, lalong lalo na sa mga pamilya at sa mga nagtataguyod sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay, Kaya dito nagsisilbi ang DSWD, sa pamamagitan ng AKAP, upang magtaguyod sa mga pamilyang nangangailangan. (“The current minimum wage of P430.00 in the Cordilleras would not suffice to meet the daily living expenses for families and breadwinners, given the ever-changing economic conditions and prices of goods nowadays. That’s where the DSWD, through AKAP, comes in to provide for and fill in the gaps for families who are in need.”) Dir. Aplaten said.

Meanwhile, DSWD Secretary Rex T. Gatchalian in his video message said that the AKAP “is intended to provide a menu of assistance for goods and services that are affected by high inflation depending on the needs of the individuals.”

The General Appropriations Act of 2024, specifically the Special Provision No. 3 of the DSWD Budget, authorized the funding for AKAP amounting to Php26.7 billion which will serve as financial assistance to minimum wage earners falling under the category of low income that were severely affected by the rising inflation. Based on the DSWD Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 4, series of 2024, “AKAP shall be implemented as a targeted social assistance to individuals who may not have access to regular assistance on account of them not belonging to the poorest population.” Further, MC No. 4 provides outright cash assistance from Php1,000 to Php10,000, subject to the assessment of DSWD social workers. Cash aid above Php10,000 will be given through a Guarantee Letter approved by the DSWD secretary.

To qualify as a beneficiary under AKAP, the individual must belong to the low-income category, such as those whose income does not exceed the statutory minimum wage. Minimum wage earners eligible for AKAP program can apply by showing any of the following documents or record issued within three months: contract of employment duly signed by the parties; certificate of employment with compensation or pay slip with full name and signature; income tax return (ITR); and any other document showing the client’s income does not exceed the statutory minimum wage per region.###DSWD-CAR Social Marketing Unit –Christian Robert M. Sandoval, Administrative Officer IV/Information Officer II