The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) admitted that they do not have a list of beneficiaries for the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP) program, despite its rollout last year.
During a Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development hearing, Senator Imee Marcos called out the agencies for failing to identify the minimum and below-minimum wage earners eligible for financial assistance.
DOLE Undersecretary Benjo Santos Benavidez stated that while the department has data on the total number of minimum wage earners, it does not have specific names of employees earning minimum wages.
He explained that the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) conducted a survey to estimate the number of minimum-wage earners, which currently stands at five million.
DSWD Undersecretary Aliah Dimaporo also confirmed that the agency lacks a list of AKAP beneficiaries, but emphasized that there are guidelines and requirements for eligibility.
Some labor groups criticized the program, arguing that it prioritizes underpaid workers over those with no income at all.
The DSWD defended its approach, stating that separate programs exist for unemployed individuals.
Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio suggested publishing the names of AKAP recipients, the amount they received, and who recommended them to ensure transparency.