Lanao del Norte Representative Zia Alonto-Adiong addressed the controversies and accusations surrounding the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) of the national government in recent weeks.
The lawmaker denied allegations that elected officials are using the program’s funds for vote-buying.
The young lawmaker argued that AKAP is a social welfare program designed to assist struggling and needy families.
The DSWD directly provides the program to low-income and impoverished families.
The lawmaker added that beneficiaries will receive assistance ranging from ₱2,000 to ₱10,000 from the DSWD.
The controversy stemmed from the increased funding allocated for AKAP and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) while the budget for PhilHealth was removed and the DepEd budget was reduced.
Consequently, the public criticized the lawmakers, calling the funds allocated for AKAP a “new pork barrel.”